Terming the Dalai Lama a "good friend," United States President Barack Obama hailed the spiritual leader as an inspiration for freedom and dignity of all human beings.
Obama was addressing a prayer event in Washington with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader among the audience, reported the BBC.
This was the first time the President and the Buddhist leader attended the same public event.
China objects strongly to foreign leaders seeing the Dalai Lama, who is considered a separatist by the Chinese.
Obama's previous meetings with the Dalai Lama have been private but media has been invited to take photos.
