NEW DELHI — President Obama has decided to cut short his planned three-day trip to India and visit Saudi Arabia, where he will pay his respects upon the death of King Abdullah and meet with the king’s successor, White House officials said Saturday.
Mr. Obama, who is scheduled to leave Washington for India on Saturday morning, had planned to visit the Taj Mahal, the country’s most iconic site, on Tuesday at the end of his trip. Instead, he will end the visit early and fly to Riyadh, the Saudi capital that is in the midst of a leadership transition.
The president will “pay respects” to the late king’s family and “offer his condolences on behalf of the American people,” Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said in a statement. “The president regrets that he will be unable to visit Agra during this trip,” Mr. Earnest added, referring to the home of the Taj Mahal.
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Mr. Obama lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he hosted at the White House last September. “Prime Minister Modi’s historic election clearly reflects the desire of many Indians for economic growth that is inclusive, good government that serves citizens and education that delivers the skills Indians seek,” he said. “And his remarkable life story – from tea-seller to prime minister – is a reflection of the determination of the Indian people to succeed.”
The president’s priorities for the trip were exemplified by the officials he invited to join him on the trip, including Penny Pritzker, the commerce secretary, Michael Froman, the trade representative, and John D. Podesta, the presidential counselor who focuses on climate issues. Also joining the president were several congressional Democrats: Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Ami Bera of California and Joseph Crowley of New York, as well as Senator Mark Warner of Virginia.
