Obama comes calling

Welcome Barack Obama!

India prides itself on its hospitality and never more than when the charismatic Barack Obama visits the country, come November. The streets, the shops, the restaurants, the people - Obama-mania is slowly but surely gripping India. The US President lands in India on the day after Diwali and shall be here for three days. The Indian visit marks the start of his Asian tour. Obama's trip to India is set to be the biggest ever by any US president in terms of the protocol and logistics.

 

The Taj Presidential Suite for Obama

President Obama is making an interesting anti-terrorism statement during next month's visit to India. He is staying at the Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai which was attacked by terrorists in 2008. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has a memorial to the 31 people who died there on November 26, 2008. Obama will also meet with survivors of the Mumbai attacks. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also stayed at the Taj Mahal last year as a show of solidarity with India.

 

No big-ticket deals during the Obama visit

A govt official, who did not want to be named, said the Obama visit would be remembered as a 'friendly, flag-hoisting occasion'. Besides finance ministry officials ruling out big-ticket deals during the Obama visit, representatives of defence and railway ministries have also denied any mega transaction in their respective sectors. Despite the earlier buzz on large defence deals to be signed during the Obama visit, any such pacts have not been ruled out.

 

Elaborate security arrangements

The presidential entourage will have 40 aircraft, including the Air Force One that will ferry the president. There will be six armoured cars, including the Barack Mobile, a Cadillac. The Cadillac limousine is equipped with a mini communication centre to enable Obama to be in touch with the White House, US vice president and the US strategic command. Three Marine One choppers will be reassembled in India to ferry Obama and his family. These helicopters will also assist in evacuation in case of an emergency.

 

To be accompanied by Michelle, Malisa and Sasha

Obama will be accompanied by US first lady Micehlle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha. Earlier, Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia were not to be part of the trip. But sources revealed that Michelle's opinion prevailed and now the girls would accompany the first American couple to India. The US president will make a historic trip to the Taj Mahal along with his family on November 7. His visit is historic in terms of logistics which is the largest ever for a visiting US president.