Washington (PTI): At his first meeting with Manmohan Singh, the new Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was so effusive in his praise of the Prime Minister that he called him the architect of modern India.

Zardari spared no efforts to show a sense of warmth in Indo-Pak relations at least in body language when he hugged Singh after the prime minister first extended his hands for a handshake at the Millennium hotel where the President is staying.

The Pakistani leader told Singh that he was in awe of the prime minister and credited him with India's progress.

When photographers wanted Zardari to show his hug act again for the benefit of the visual media, Zardari said in a lighter ven "we are not models."

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon later told newsmen after the one-hour-long meeting that the atmosphere was very warm and friendly and that the prime minister was very satisfied at how the meeting went.