New Delhi: India and the US are trying to arrive at a list of engagements for President Barack Obama during his two-day stay in Delhi on January 25-26. This may include a visit to a university and a town hall meeting besides summit-level talks and the Republic Day parade.
Obama, who is expected to touch down in Delhi on January 25, could have a hectic schedule, official sources hinted to ET. Besides a possible trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra, the the President may also interact with students and attend a meeting of the India-US CEO Forum, sources indicated.
In 2010, Obama addressed a town hall meeting in Mumbai.
A US Secret Service team is currently in Delhi and Agra as part of security preparations, sources informed. The President could also visit the US Embassy in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area to interact with diplomats posted there.
It has been learnt that the President could leave India on January 26 itself.
US President Barack Obama to have hectic schedule during India visit take place in another city hotel, sources suggested. US CEOs are awaiting a big push on reforms at India’s next budget to expand their investments here, here, sources said.
Meanwhile, newly appointed ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma is expected to arrive in Delhi in the first week of January. This is key to firming up the final contours and substance of the big visit in the last week of January.
Washington-based official sources said that Verma has met Obama following his Senate confirmation vote and the President has expressed satisfaction that the envoy could join office in Delhi before his arrival. The surprise trip was announced last month when Obama accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to be chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade on January 26.
The visit reflects a renewed momentum in ties between the two governments after Modi’s visit to the US in September soon after he led the BJP to a sweeping victory in India’s general election.
Obama is the first American president to be Republic Day chief guest.
