Barack Obama meets Miss America Nina Davuluri at White House

US President Barack Obama hosted a very special guest at the White House, Nina Davuluri, the first Miss America of Indian-Origin, despite the high drama surrounding a deal to end the government shutdown.

"Had the pleasure of having a conversation with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office today!" an ecstatic Davuluri twitted shortly after meeting Obama yesterday.

"Miss America participated in a group photo with the President in honour of the Children's Miracle Network Hospital Champions," a White House official said.

"Following the photo, she briefly visited the Oval Office," the official said.

Davuluri, 24, was the first Indian-American to win the coveted beauty pageant last month.

Incidentally, Obama had referred to Davuluri during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here last month.

"Now Miss America is of Indian-American descent. I think it's a signal of how close our countries are," Obama had said.

"I'm so proud to be the first Miss America of Indian descent," Davuluri, whose parents hails form Andhra Pradesh, said after winning the pageant.