This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/indias-modi-welcomes-obama-with-a-big-hug/2015/01/25/8eab4548-2105-4713-857e-4e30c664f35d_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| India’s Modi welcomes Obama with a big hug | India’s Modi welcomes Obama with a big hug |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| NEW DELHI -- When President Obama walked off Air Force One here Sunday morning, he was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who walked up to Obama and gave him a big hug. | NEW DELHI -- When President Obama walked off Air Force One here Sunday morning, he was greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who walked up to Obama and gave him a big hug. |
| The airport meeting, a break from tradition, and embrace comes as the two countries are looking to reinvigorate a relationship that had stagnated in recent years -- and one that both men hope will benefit from a personal rapport they developed last year. | The airport meeting, a break from tradition, and embrace comes as the two countries are looking to reinvigorate a relationship that had stagnated in recent years -- and one that both men hope will benefit from a personal rapport they developed last year. |
| Obama was welcomed in a lavish greeting at the presidential palace, including a 21-gun salute, his limo trailed by dozens of men on horseback. | |
| Asked about the reception, Obama said, "It's hard to match this one." Asked if he was honored by the invitation to be there, he said, "It is a great honor and we are so grateful for the extraordinary hospitality." | |
| But officials are hoping that the personal relationship yields more than honor and hospitality, but political and policy gains. | |
| “Our hope is that the chemistry between the leaders and the personal relationship can lead to positive outcomes for our country,” Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said. “And so it’s worth the investment in the relationship with the country, the leader, and the people of India.” | “Our hope is that the chemistry between the leaders and the personal relationship can lead to positive outcomes for our country,” Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said. “And so it’s worth the investment in the relationship with the country, the leader, and the people of India.” |
| As Obama arrived, Indian media is reporting that the two countries have reached an accord on nuclear liability in the event of an accident and the tracking of nuclear suppliers. The White House did not comment on the reports. | As Obama arrived, Indian media is reporting that the two countries have reached an accord on nuclear liability in the event of an accident and the tracking of nuclear suppliers. The White House did not comment on the reports. |
| The men, who will hold bilateral meetings and attend the country’s Republic Day parade Monday, are hoping to reach deals on opening up India to U.S. businesses, reaching some deal on greenhouse gases, though nothing as major as the accord made with China last year. | The men, who will hold bilateral meetings and attend the country’s Republic Day parade Monday, are hoping to reach deals on opening up India to U.S. businesses, reaching some deal on greenhouse gases, though nothing as major as the accord made with China last year. |
| The trip is one filled with symbolism that they hope will translate to a stronger relationship between the two countries. Obama is the first president to visit India twice while in office, after receiving an unprecedented invitation to be the guest at the parade, which celebrates India becoming a republic. | The trip is one filled with symbolism that they hope will translate to a stronger relationship between the two countries. Obama is the first president to visit India twice while in office, after receiving an unprecedented invitation to be the guest at the parade, which celebrates India becoming a republic. |
| The personal relationship between the two men blossomed when Modi went to Washington, D.C., in September. The two men talked over a lavish dinner, even though Modi was on a religious fast, and visited the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, where they invoked Mahatma Gandhi. | |
| Obama visited the site that holds Gandhi’s ashes on Sunday, slowly walking around the memorial and throwing rose petals on it. Obama spread dirt around a sapling, watering it with a silver pitcher and said repeatedly, "big and strong." | |
| The press coverage of the visit has been non-stop, with the Indian media reporting every move. Modi, who is known to be camera-savvy, greeted Obama behind his limousine at the airport, but brought Obama around to pose for cameras.. | |
| Their friendship came as somewhat of a surprise. Obama tends to be reticent among world leaders, rarely striking up friendships in the way that his predecessor, George W. Bush, did. The notable exception is British Prime Minister David Cameron, whom Obama calls “bro.” | Their friendship came as somewhat of a surprise. Obama tends to be reticent among world leaders, rarely striking up friendships in the way that his predecessor, George W. Bush, did. The notable exception is British Prime Minister David Cameron, whom Obama calls “bro.” |
| The rapport between the two men, forged over talk of campaigning, governing and ascending politically after coming from humble backgrounds, came shortly after Modi was elected and the two countries saw the visit as a way to try to revive their relationship. It came at a time when India felt overlooked by the administration’s focus on other Asian countries -- and as the U.S. realized that it needs India as a counterweight to China. | The rapport between the two men, forged over talk of campaigning, governing and ascending politically after coming from humble backgrounds, came shortly after Modi was elected and the two countries saw the visit as a way to try to revive their relationship. It came at a time when India felt overlooked by the administration’s focus on other Asian countries -- and as the U.S. realized that it needs India as a counterweight to China. |
| “I think from the very beginning, there were quite a few things that actually led to that personal affinity and that ability to build rapport,” said Phil Reiner, the Senior Director at the National Security Council for South Asia. | “I think from the very beginning, there were quite a few things that actually led to that personal affinity and that ability to build rapport,” said Phil Reiner, the Senior Director at the National Security Council for South Asia. |
| In many ways, having Modi be the leader to advance the U.S. India relationship is surprising, given his fraught relationship with the United States. In 2005 the State Department revoked Modi’s visa on grounds that he had violated religious freedom by not doing enough to stop Hindu-Muslim riots in 2002 while he was chief minister of the state of Gujarat. More than 1,000 people were killed. | In many ways, having Modi be the leader to advance the U.S. India relationship is surprising, given his fraught relationship with the United States. In 2005 the State Department revoked Modi’s visa on grounds that he had violated religious freedom by not doing enough to stop Hindu-Muslim riots in 2002 while he was chief minister of the state of Gujarat. More than 1,000 people were killed. |
| Despite this, Modi has taken a number of pages from the U.S. playbook when it comes to campaigning and governing. Modi employed campaign tactics modeled after Obama’s, using social media and micro-targeting and displaying posters akin to the one Shepherd Fairey made of Obama. In August, Modi chanted Obama’s campaign phrase, “Yes We Can,” at a rally. | Despite this, Modi has taken a number of pages from the U.S. playbook when it comes to campaigning and governing. Modi employed campaign tactics modeled after Obama’s, using social media and micro-targeting and displaying posters akin to the one Shepherd Fairey made of Obama. In August, Modi chanted Obama’s campaign phrase, “Yes We Can,” at a rally. |
| “In some ways Modi is the most American-like Indian politican there’s been in years,” said Tanvi Madan, a fellow and director of the India Project at the Brookings Institution. | “In some ways Modi is the most American-like Indian politican there’s been in years,” said Tanvi Madan, a fellow and director of the India Project at the Brookings Institution. |
| Rama Lakshmi contributed reporting. | Rama Lakshmi contributed reporting. |