This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/25/obama-warm-welcome-india-narendra-modi

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama gets warm welcome from Narendra Modi in India Obama gets warm welcome from Narendra Modi in India
(about 1 hour later)
US president Barack Obama has been welcomed like royalty in India as he started a three-day visit aimed at turning his burgeoning rapport with the prime minister, Narendra Modi, into progress on climate change, defence and economic issues.US president Barack Obama has been welcomed like royalty in India as he started a three-day visit aimed at turning his burgeoning rapport with the prime minister, Narendra Modi, into progress on climate change, defence and economic issues.
Obama’s arrival in the bustling capital of New Delhi on Sunday morning marked the first time an American leader has visited India twice during his presidency. Obama is also the first to be invited to attend India’s Republic Day festivities, which begin on Monday and mark the anniversary of the enactment of the country’s democratic constitution.Obama’s arrival in the bustling capital of New Delhi on Sunday morning marked the first time an American leader has visited India twice during his presidency. Obama is also the first to be invited to attend India’s Republic Day festivities, which begin on Monday and mark the anniversary of the enactment of the country’s democratic constitution.
Modi, wearing a gold kurta, was at the airport to greet Obama at the foot of Air Force One and he enveloped Obama in a huge embrace. Obama returned the gesture, patting the prime minister on the back several times. Modi, wearing a gold kurta, was at the airport to greet Obama at the foot of Air Force One with a huge embrace. Obama returned the gesture, patting the prime minister on the back several times.
Obama’s limousine was later escorted through a metal gate and into the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India’s presidential palace, by a cavalry regiment of the Indian army. He was welcomed with a booming 21-gun salute and inspected an honour guard.Obama’s limousine was later escorted through a metal gate and into the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India’s presidential palace, by a cavalry regiment of the Indian army. He was welcomed with a booming 21-gun salute and inspected an honour guard.
“It’s a great honour,” Obama said when reporters asked for his thoughts on attending Republic Day. “We are so grateful for the extraordinary hospitality.”“It’s a great honour,” Obama said when reporters asked for his thoughts on attending Republic Day. “We are so grateful for the extraordinary hospitality.”
The mere fact that the talks were happening was being viewed as a sign of progress given the recent tensions that have marred relations between the US and India.The mere fact that the talks were happening was being viewed as a sign of progress given the recent tensions that have marred relations between the US and India.
High on Obama’s agenda with Modi is progress on getting the heavily polluted country to agree to curb carbon emissions. White House officials hope the surprise climate agreement the US struck with China in November might spur India to take similar steps.High on Obama’s agenda with Modi is progress on getting the heavily polluted country to agree to curb carbon emissions. White House officials hope the surprise climate agreement the US struck with China in November might spur India to take similar steps.
Obama is also expected to push Modi to make changes to liability legislation in India that has prevented US companies from capitalising on a landmark civil nuclear agreement between the two countries in 2008.Obama is also expected to push Modi to make changes to liability legislation in India that has prevented US companies from capitalising on a landmark civil nuclear agreement between the two countries in 2008.
Ahead of the big day of celebration, Obama walked in his socks into a walled courtyard to lay a large white wreath at the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. He then shovelled earth and poured a pitcher of water around a young tree planted in his honour at the memorial.Ahead of the big day of celebration, Obama walked in his socks into a walled courtyard to lay a large white wreath at the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. He then shovelled earth and poured a pitcher of water around a young tree planted in his honour at the memorial.
But in a move likely to take some of the symbolic shine off of Obama’s trip, the White House announced shortly before he departed from Washington that the president had cancelled plans to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. The president and first lady had planned to tour the famed white marble monument of love on Tuesday, but instead will go to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the royal family following the death of King Abdullah.But in a move likely to take some of the symbolic shine off of Obama’s trip, the White House announced shortly before he departed from Washington that the president had cancelled plans to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. The president and first lady had planned to tour the famed white marble monument of love on Tuesday, but instead will go to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the royal family following the death of King Abdullah.
India’s relationship with the US plummeted in 2013 when the Indian deputy consul general, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested and strip-searched in New York over allegations that she lied on visa forms to bring her maid to the US while paying her a pittance. Her treatment caused outrage in New Delhi and India retaliated against US diplomats.India’s relationship with the US plummeted in 2013 when the Indian deputy consul general, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested and strip-searched in New York over allegations that she lied on visa forms to bring her maid to the US while paying her a pittance. Her treatment caused outrage in New Delhi and India retaliated against US diplomats.
Ties between the US and India have been steadily improving since Modi took office last May. He and Obama met for the first time late last year in Washington, and officials from both countries say they quickly developed an easy chemistry.Ties between the US and India have been steadily improving since Modi took office last May. He and Obama met for the first time late last year in Washington, and officials from both countries say they quickly developed an easy chemistry.
That came as something of a surprise to regional analysts given Modi’s difficult history with the US. He was denied a visa to the US. in 2005, three years after religious riots killed more than 1,000 Muslims in the Indian state where he was the top elected official. That came as something of a surprise to regional analysts given Modi’s difficult history with the US. He was denied a visa to the US in 2005, three years after religious riots killed more than 1,000 Muslims in the Indian state where he was the top elected official.
“I think Modi surprised everyone by, with very little hesitation, embracing the United States,” said Milan Vaishnav, a South Asia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “To give credit where credit is due, the Obama administration stepped in very quickly after his election to signal that he was willing to do business.”“I think Modi surprised everyone by, with very little hesitation, embracing the United States,” said Milan Vaishnav, a South Asia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “To give credit where credit is due, the Obama administration stepped in very quickly after his election to signal that he was willing to do business.”
Obama also had a good rapport with the former Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh. However, US officials expressed some frustration that their personal warmth never translated into policy breakthroughs.Obama also had a good rapport with the former Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh. However, US officials expressed some frustration that their personal warmth never translated into policy breakthroughs.