They fell under its spell

Apparently Indians are much bigger fans of Obama's teleprompter than Americans are:

It was the first time a teleprompter had been used inside the chamber.

"It looks like a podium", said one mystified lawmaker. "Where do they place the paper?" asked another.

In India, politicians generally speak extemporaneously or from notes or text written on paper. The common perception, explained lawmaker Sanjay Nirupam of Mumbai, is that the really good speakers don't need to have text in front of them.

Regardless, lawmakers in the packed hall listened to Obama's speech in mesmerized silence, punctuated by frequent applause.

"Some moments are recorded in history as points of reference...this is that moment," said Meira Kumar, the Speaker of the Lower House of parliament. Commentators on Indian news channels hailed the speech as "vintage Obama".