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The quiet moment was a rare incident of spontaneity on Obama’s otherwise rigid daily agenda, and as the leaders gazed at the stone memorial in the midday sun, White House aides say a personal chemistry between the two men began to form.
What came afterwards was a surprise to everyone.
At a November meeting of Asian leaders in Burma, the Indian prime minister delivered Obama an astounding request: become the first American president to headline India’s Republic Day parade.
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That Obama is now flying to New Delhi at Modi’s invitation may be a signal of how quickly progress could be achieved on other, more substantive, fronts – if the U.S. President can capitalize on his new friendship.
“What does the President of the United States want? Does he want a best friend, or does he want somebody that’s going to carry through on commitments?” said Rossow. “It’s clearly the latter.”
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