Following President Obama’s visit to India, it is time to understand what this historic visit means, for India, for the U.S., this region and more importantly for the people of both countries. Join The Hindu’s correspondents in New Delhi to discuss the Obama visit at 10 am on January 27, 2015. 1. As a departure from protocol, PM Modi went to the airport himself to receive and welcome the U.S. President. 2. Mr. Obama was given a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He inspected the tri-service Guard of Honour, which for the first time was led by a woman officer, Wing Commander Pooja Thakur. 3. Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, descended from Air Force One clad in a printed floral dress and coat by India-born designer Bibhu Mohapatra. 4. India and the U.S. achieve a breakthrough on operationalisation of the civil nuclear deal. 5. In his speech at the Townhall, The President said, “Every Indian should celebrate the success of Shah Rukh Khan, Mary Kom, Milkha Singh equally.” 6. President Barack Obama is the first U.S. President to visit India twice during office, and is also the first U.S. President to be the chief guest at the Republic Day. 7. Hours before his visit to India, Mr. Obama cancelled the Agra leg of his India visit and decided to travel to Saudi Arabia to meet the new king. 8. We have renewed our Defence Framework Agreement. We will deepen our cooperation on maritime security, said Mr. Modi during his statement after the bilateral talks. 9. Mr. Obama announced a slew of initiatives that included $4 billion in loans from U.S. banks, $2 billion in financing for renewable energy projects in India and $1 billion from the Exim Bank of the U.S. for project financing. 10. The most watched moment of the Modi-Obama relationship came at tea-time on the second day, when the two leaders stepped out of Hyderabad House for a well-choreographed tête-à-tête. As the cameras clicked, PM Modi poured tea for President Obama, and both leaders were seen smiling together.Source : The Hindu
