New Delhi: The countdown has begun for the much-awaited visit of US President Barack Obama along with US First Lady Michelle Obama to India. President Obama is the chief guest of the 66th Republic Day, making him the first US President to attend the parade.
Obama, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, has seven engagements on Sunday including talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Obama flew out on the Air Force One from the Andrews airbase in Maryland on Saturday evening and made a short pit-stop in Germany for aircraft refuelling. The US contingent will land at the Palam air force base in New Delhi at 10 on Sunday.
The presidential entourage would then drive down to the ITC Maurya, where the US first couple would be staying. Delhi is under a stringent security blanket in view of threats of a possible terror attack.
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal as minister-in-waiting for the visit would receive Obama at the airport as well as escort and assist him through the visit.
Thereafter on Sunday afternoon, Obama will head to Hyderabad House where he will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi. The two leaders will participate in a walk and talk following which Obama and Modi will deliver a joint press statement.
The Obamas will then meet US embassy personnel and their families in New Delhi at the ITC Maurya. The day will end with Obama attending a Presidential banquet in his honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
This is the second visit of Obama to India as president and the first time a US president is attending the Republic Day parade as chief guest.
There are high expectations from the visit as it is likely to strengthen strategic, trade and defence ties between the two countries. "This is a momentous visit. I can assure the symbollism and content of this visit will be significant. We have an expansive relation with US. You can expect a very historic visit of US President," Spokesperson Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin tweeted just as the US President is about to land in New Delhi.
On Monday, Obama would attend the Republic Day parade as chief guest during which India's military might and cultural diversity would be showcased in a two-hour open air event.
His earlier planned visit to Agra to see the Taj Mahal was cancelled on Saturday as he will travel to Riyadh on January 27 to condole the death of Saudi King Abdullah.
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