Obama hopes to capitalize on his young friendship with new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to achieve diplomatic progress on climate, defense and trade that’s escaped U.S. leaders in the past.
After a two-leg, 16-hour journey, Air Force One landed in New Delhi under midmorning fog around 10 a.m. local time (11:30 p.m. Saturday ET). The overcast Indian capital was heavily fortified with extra security for the President’s trip; police and military guards armed with machine guns patrolled roads, and manned checkpoints throughout the city and highways were shut well ahead of Obama’s arrival.
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Local television networks profiled weavers preparing elaborate gold-threaded saris for first lady Michelle Obama, who is accompanying her husband for the two day state visit.
The pair had planned to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, whose origins as a memorial to a Mughal emperor’s wife has made it a romantic draw for couples. The side trip was nixed, however, so Obama and the first lady could fly to Riyadh to pay respects to the late Saudi King Abdullah.
