The News Minute| January 25, 2015| 10.00 am IST
US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrived in New Delhi on Sunday morning on a three-day India visit - his second in five years - during which he will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade Jan 26. Departing from protocol, he was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the VVIP terminal of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
As Obama alighted from his Air Force One jet shortly after 9.45 a.m. local time, Modi, donning a prominent red shawl across his beige-coloured Nehru jacked welcomed Obama, wearing a dark suit, with a hug. The two kept clasping hands and chatting.
Though Union Minister Piyush Goyal was supposed to welcome the US President, the Prime Minister reached the airport to welcome Obama, breaking protocol
The US president was accompanied by his wife Michelle, wearing a white and blue flower-printed dress. The welcoming ceremony was short and the Obamas were whisked away within minutes in The Beast, the presidential limousine, that was parked right across the red carpet.
Barack Obama was then accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was welcomed by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Obama was received by President Pranab Mukherjee dressed in a black bandghala suit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had changed into a pinstriped black bandhgala suit from his morning attire.
The US president chatted and laughed with Mukherjee and Modi before proceeding to a podium for the ceremonial welcome with the US and Indian flags fluttering in the cold winter morning.
Obama was also introduced to union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Nejeeb Jung, and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha. Also present were Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and Indian Ambassador to the US S. Jaishanker.
Once again Obama exchanged pleasantries and warmly shook hands with Mukherjee and Modi.
He folded his hands together to say 'Namaste', the traditional Indian way of greeting, as he left for Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
Reports also suggest that bilateral summit level talks have begun between the U.S President and Modi.
The talks were preceded by a luncheon meeting between the two leaders. In an unprecedented gesture, the two leaders also took a walk on the lawns of Hyderabad House for one-on-one talks.
The luncheon meeting and subsequent delegation level talks lasted almost three-and-a-half hours.