PM Modi breaks protocol, personally welcomes Obama, Michelle at airport tarmac
New Delhi: Breaking the tradition and protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday welcomed US President Barack Obama with a “warm hug” at the Delhi Airport after the highly sophisticated Air Force One touched down in the national capital a little before 10 am.
Modi waited for nearly two minutes at the tarmac along with Power Minister Piyush Goyal, the Minister-in-Waiting, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma and other senior officials from the Indian and US Governments.
Moments after, Mr Obama accompanied by First Lady Michelle walked down the stairs of the Air Force one, the Presidential Plane, where the US President was personally welcomed by his “good friend” Mr Modi.
Modi and Obama hugged each other very warmly, displaying the warmth in their relationship. The two leaders have developed a personal rapport during their first meeting in the White House last year.
The Prime Minister, later, shook hands with the First Lady after which he introduced Mr Goyal to the US President. Later, the two leaders were talking for a few moments after which Modi escorted them to their armoured limousine 'Beast'. The car has both the US and the Indian flags on it today.
Obama straight went to ITC Maurya where he and the First Lady will be staying through their 3-day visit.
The President will be accorded a ceremonial Guard of Hour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan where his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and Mr Modi will be present. Shortly after the reception, the US President will visit Rajpath to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, whom he deeply admires.
After the visit to Rajpath, Mr Obama will drive straight to Hyderabad House, where he will be hosted to a lunch by Mr Modi after which the talks between the two countries would be held..
Warm welcome in cold Delhi. Breaking normal protocol PM @narendramodi receives Prez @BarackObama on arrival. pic.twitter.com/HNhB0TdMfA
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) January 25, 2015President Obama is on a three-day visit after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited him as chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations.
Obama's itinerary for today:
- US President Barack Obama arrives at 10am.
- Ceremonial welcome ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Obama to lay wreath and pay homage at Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat.
- Bilateral discussions at Hyderabad House: The two leaders will first have a restricted meeting, followed by delegation-level talks over lunch.
- PM Modi to host lunch for President Obama.
- Meeting and dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee.
