Obama set to arrive in India for Republic Day parade
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, January 22 2015: India is preparing for one of the most important diplomatic engagements in recent times.

Following the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Barack Obama will be on a three-day State visit to India from January 25 to 27 .

According to MEA source, President Obama's visit is seen as strengthening the ties between Governments, people and institutions.

The visit comes four months after Prime Minister Modi's meeting with President Obama in the United States in September 2014 .

President Obama will be accompanied by the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama.

President Obama is expected to arrive in the forenoon at 10 AM on Jan 25 .

As is usual for such visits, following his arrival, he will be received ceremonially at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan and he will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat.

Again in accordance with the protocol for such visits, there will be bilateral discussions between Prime Minister and President Obama at the Hyderabad House, both in a restricted format as well as delegation-level discussions over a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister.

In the evening, the President will meet Rashtrapatiji, who will host a Banquet for the visiting dignitary.

On Jan 26, President Obama will attend the Republic Day function as the chief guest.

He will also attend the "At Home" Reception of the President and will address business events along with the Prime Minister.

On January 27, President Obama is expected to address a select gatherings in the morning and the President and the First Lady are expected to visit Agra before their departure from New Delhi.

President Obama is the first US President to visit India twice and the first US President to be the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations.

The visit of President Obama is the culmination of a qualitative reinvigoration of the ties following the meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi in September 2014 .

Since then, both the sides have acted with alacrity, collaborated in common pursuits and have traversed along a transformative path.

It may be further mentioned that there have been nine India-US bilateral dialogues since September and in addition, there have been eight meetings relating to defence and security in such areas such as cyber, border management, counter-improvised explosive devices, defence technology, trade initiatives and global entry programme.

Also on the economic and commercial fronts, there have been three meetings on matters such as smart cities, financial regulations, etc.

In the science and technology sphere, there have been three meetings on diverse subjects, including vaccination programme, scientific research collaboration on monsoon.

There have been ten MoUs signed in areas such as space, renewable energy, skill development, urban development, to name a few.

From India's perspective, the US is a key partner for capital, technology, knowledge and skills in its development effort; a potentially important source of clean energy technology and hydrocarbons; an important partner in areas like defence technology and counter-terrorism; an important factor in space security and cyber security; a key inter locutor in adjustments to the global security and economic architecture including reforms of the UN Security Council; a partner in the quest for a rule based, open international trading and economic order; and in India's efforts to seek peace and stability in its extended neighbourhood and globally.

All these issues are likely to be addressed during the meetings between PM Modi and President Obama.

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