Tareq Salahi, who gate crashed the State Dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House on Tuesday, is a known friend of India.

Virginia couple Tareq and Michaele Salahi entered the White House uninvited and had a "wonderful time" in the company of Obamas and Singh at the high-profile 'black tie' state dinner.

In fact, Tareq and Michaele are instrumental in India's first ever participation in world famous America's Polo Cup at the prestigious National Mall in Washington next summer - June 11 and 12.

The announcement in this regard was made by Salahi himself at a reception hosted by the Indian Embassy in Washington on September 9 and the kick-off event was held at the National mall on September 19.

Salahi had said at the event that he is captain of the US Polo Team.

Speaking at the Indian Embassy reception on September 9, Salahi announced that he had invited A R Rahman and Pussycat Dolls to perform during the tournament at the National Mall; which is expected to be attended by thousands of people.

"We are really excited about this partnership (between India and the US)," he said, adding that the America's Polo Cup has been the tradition in Washington DC since 1923.

Thousands of people converge at the National Mall during the two-day annual event.