WASHINGTON, January 25 (Sputnik) — US President Barack Obama will go on a three-day visit to India to participate in the country's celebrations of the Republic Day as well as to hold meetings with the officials to discuss cooperation in various areas including defense, economy, civil nuclear power and climate change.
“At the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, the President [Obama] will travel to India in January 2015 to participate in the Indian Republic Day celebration in New Delhi as the Chief Guest,” the White House statement reads. “This visit will mark the first time a U.S. president will have the honor of attending Republic Day, which commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution.”
During his visit Obama will meet with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership, according to the release.
Obama is not only the first US President to attend India’s Republic Day celebration, but also the first US leader to be there as the Chief Guest. Besides, Obama will become the first US President to visit India more than once while in office.
Obama is scheduled to arrive to India on January 25 and stay through January 27. The Republic Day parade will be held on January 26.
The Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs said Monday that all the necessary security arrangements will be put in place in India ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to the country.
In September 2014, Indian Prime Minister Modi met with US President Barack Obama in Washington. During their meeting, the political leaders acknowledged the role of Indian and American businesses in sustainable economic development and growth in both countries.
Lawmakers on US-India relations
US Senator Mark Warner, who is a Co-chair of the Senate India Caucus told Sputnik that the economic cooperation between Russia and India is part of the challenge in Washington’s bilateral partnership with Delhi.
«Clearly there are longer term economic relationships between Russia and India, and that’s just part of the challenge going forward," Warner said.
The senator stressed that the United States will be able to compete in India.
«India is being wooed by a number of nations. This is a billion plus people with a growing market, seven percent a year not double digits like it was," he explained. «But I think as long as there is a level playing field, America will be able to compete.»
Russian President Vladimir Putin went to Delhi in December last year where he signed several trade, energy and defense contracts and a 10-year contract to deliver 10 million tons of oil annually to India.
Besides, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Republic of Crimea and Indian business group Indian-Crimean Partnership aiming to facilitate India’s deepening economic cooperation with the peninsula.
Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in the statement on Friday that Obama’s visit to India is “a jump start chance not to be missed.” Royce stressed that Washington needs to make serious strides in promoting stronger trade relations, as well as make headway in the long-stalled US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement. The lawmaker also pointed out the importance of renewing Defense Framework Agreement and improving intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
The first visit of Obama to India took place in November 2010.
