"On behalf of American people, I extend best wishes as you and people of India celebrate India's Republic Day. Michelle and I look forward to returning and once again enjoying generosity, hospitality and beauty that marked our first visit in 2010," the U.S. President tweeted.
Obama and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama have left for their India visit from Andrews Air Base in Washington.
Earlier in the day, Obama had cancelled his upcoming visit of Agra on January 27, opting to go to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to offer his condolences to the royal family following the demise of Saudi monarch King Abdullah.
Obama will arrive in New Delhi tomorrow to take part in Republic Day celebrations on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be the first U.S. President to attend a Republic Day celebration and also the first to visit the country twice while in office.
His participation in the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest is a sign of steadily expanding ties between the two countries that share concerns about China's growing power in Asia.
Prime Minister Modi met Obama on a visit to the United States in September last year and they have spoken by telephone since. Their relationship is thought to have helped resolve a major trade spat in the World Trade Organization.
