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Obama arrives for three-day India visit Obama India visit: Modi talks of 'new journey'
(about 6 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has arrived in India for a three-day visit amid an unprecedented security operation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told visiting US President Barack Obama that the two nations are starting a "new journey" of co-operation.
Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in Delhi along with some 15,000 cameras. Mr Obama said that the nations had declared a new friendship to take ties to a higher level.
PM Narendra Modi stressed the importance of the visit by breaking protocol to receive Mr Obama personally at Delhi airport. The leaders announced fresh defence and trade initiatives, and committed to more-regular bilateral meetings.
Their talks will primarily focus on trade, but also take in security, nuclear power and climate change. Security is intense in Delhi, with Mr Obama to be the guest of honour at Monday's Republic Day celebrations.
Mr Obama will also be the guest of honour at Monday's Republic Day celebrations. Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in Delhi, along with some 15,000 cameras.
'Great honour''Great honour'
After his arrival, the US president travelled to the presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, for an official welcoming ceremony with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee. Mr Modi stressed the importance of the visit by breaking with protocol to receive Mr Obama personally at Delhi airport.
Mr Obama said: "This is a great honour, we are grateful for this extraordinary hospitality." After his arrival, the US president travelled to the presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, for an official welcoming ceremony.
Mr Obama will also lay a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial and later attend a state dinner. Mr Obama laid a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial and planted a tree.
He is being accompanied by a delegation of US business leaders for the important trade talks. At a joint press conference, Mr Modi said the two countries were "starting a new journey" based on "renewed trust and sustained attention".
In his talks with Mr Modi, he is also expected to discuss co-operation on climate change and nuclear energy, concerns over security in South Asia and counter-terrorism measures. He said of Mr Obama: "We have forged a friendship, there is openness when we talk."
Mr Obama will join Mr Modi in his monthly radio address to reach out to millions of Indians with no access to television. He said the two nations would increase cooperation on defence projects and on "eliminating terrorist safe havens and on bringing terrorists to justice".
Mr Modi said he had "great optimism" on bilateral trade, saying "economic growth is becoming stronger and the business climate is improving".
Mr Obama said the countries "had declared a new friendship to elevate our partnership", which "commits to more meetings and consultations across governments".
He added: "The new partnership will not happen overnight. It will need patience but will remain a top foreign policy priority for my administration."
Mr Obama is being accompanied by a delegation of US business leaders for the trade talks. Bilateral trade is put at $100bn (£66.7bn) but the US wants to boost it five-fold.
Out of bounds
The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says security around the Republic Day parade is generally tight, but this year the high-profile visit has taken preparations to a new level.The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says security around the Republic Day parade is generally tight, but this year the high-profile visit has taken preparations to a new level.
India Gate and the Rajpath (the King's Avenue), where Monday's parade takes place, have been out of bounds for most people for the past few days, with thousands of policemen on duty.India Gate and the Rajpath (the King's Avenue), where Monday's parade takes place, have been out of bounds for most people for the past few days, with thousands of policemen on duty.
Security has been upgraded at several up-market hotels, where the US president and his team will be staying. Security has been upgraded at several upmarket hotels, where the US president and his team are staying.
Traffic restrictions have been put in place across the city, and extra checks have been taking place at metro stations.Traffic restrictions have been put in place across the city, and extra checks have been taking place at metro stations.
Police have also been going door-to-door carrying out verification checks on residents. This is the first time a sitting US president has returned to India for an second visit.
Security has also been tightened at airports, ports and railways stations across the country.
This is the first time a sitting US president has returned to India for an second visit - a sign of growing India-US ties.
The new US ambassador in Delhi, Richard Verma, said there was "no question this is a defining time in the US-India relationship."
"Things not only feel different, they are different," he said.
Mr Obama's visit to India has been shortened so he can visit Saudi Arabia and pay his respects following the death of King Abdullah. It means he will not now visit the Taj Mahal.Mr Obama's visit to India has been shortened so he can visit Saudi Arabia and pay his respects following the death of King Abdullah. It means he will not now visit the Taj Mahal.