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Obama India visit: Modi talks of 'new journey' | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told visiting US President Barack Obama that the two nations are starting a "new journey" of co-operation. | |
Mr Obama said that the nations had declared a new friendship to take ties to a higher level. | |
The leaders announced fresh defence and trade initiatives, and committed to more-regular bilateral meetings. | |
Security is intense in Delhi, with Mr Obama to 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' |
Mr Modi stressed the importance of the visit by breaking with protocol to receive Mr Obama personally at Delhi airport. | |
After his arrival, the US president travelled to the presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, for an official welcoming ceremony. | |
Mr Obama laid a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial and planted a tree. | |
At a joint press conference, Mr Modi said the two countries were "starting a new journey" based on "renewed trust and sustained attention". | |
He said of Mr Obama: "We have forged a friendship, there is openness when we talk." | |
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 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. |
This is the first time a sitting US president has returned to India for an second visit. | |
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. |