December 11, 2024 19:45 (IST)
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Modi welcomes Obama in India with a hug
New Delhi, Jan 25 (IBNS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday welcomed US President and his friend Barack Obama with a warm hug at the Palam Airport in New Delhi.
Obama and his wife Michelle have come to India on an invitation by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend this year's Republic Day parade.
The presidential entourage has now reached the ITC Maurya, where the US first couple will be staying.
PM Modi himself was present at the airport to receive the couple.
Obama left for the Asian nation on Saturday evening.
They will soon be given a grand welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A cultural festival has been organised for the US President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday, media reports said.
The cultural programme will showcase true Indian tradition and diversity of the country's cultures.
According to reports, five forms of Indian classical dances (Kathak, Manipuri, Odhisi, Bharatanatyam and Kathakali) will be exhibited for the US President and his wife and US First Lady Michelle Obama.
The programme has been organised by SEHER, one of India's premier cultural organisation that also organised the cultural show at the Rashtrapati Bhawan when President Obama visited India in 2010.
The programme will be a cultural feast for the US President a day ahead of the Republic Day parade.
As per reports, the presentation will commence with an invocation from the ancient Rig Veda, a text recognised as a world heritage work.
This is followed by short presentations in each style, the dancers coming together in a rhythmic finale.
Commenting on the welcome, Spokesperson Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "Rare instance. PM @narendramodi in a departure from Protocol receives Prez @BarackObama & First lady of US at airport."
On Modi hugging Obama, he posted: "Warm welcome in cold Delhi. Breaking normal protocol PM @narendramodi receives Prez @BarackObama on arrival."
Meanwhile, security measures are hiked for a 'never seen before' ground-to-air security arrangement.
As Obama and Prime Minister Modi share the dais on January 26, Delhi turns into an impregnable fortress, far surpassing the arrangements made on any Republic Day engaging snipers to sniffer dogs.
The army, police, para military forces, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) will be working in tandem with the US intelligence agency CIA and Navy Seals for foolproof security.
Reports said for the first time the Rajpath and India gate would remain shut on January 26 while a no-fly zone within a radius of 400 km of the venue of Rajpath has been imposed for the day, barring operation of flights in Delhi and several adjoining areas.
The US authorities had earlier demanded a no-fly zone around Rajpath which would have barred the traditional fly past by the Indian Air force. The Indian authorities managed to stick to their ground by saying that the fly past would be for only 10 minutes.
Reports said altogether 71 high rise buildings in the vicinity of Rajpath would be partly or completely shut down for this year's Republic Day celebrations.
The buildings will go under the command of security personnel and snipers will take position on rooftops.
The nearby government buildings like North and South Blocks, Rail Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Shastri Bhavan, Vayu Bhavan, Udyog Bhavan, Nirman Bhavan, and Vigyan Bhavan will be shut by Sunday to be occupied by security personnel.
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