Mumbai is all set to welcome US President Barack Obama on his arrival in there tomorrow. Lifting of US restrictions on access to Dual Technology to India, improving Counter – terrorism cooperation and forging cooperation in a range of fields including defence are high on the agenda of President Obama's 3 day visit to India.The US President is accompanied by a high-level delegation of National Security Advisor Tom Donillon, the Commerce, Treasury and Agriculture secretaries and others. A large business delegation is also accompanying him.A massive three dimensional security – land, air and water – has been put in place in Mumbai for the visit. Thousands of personnel from US Secret Service, Indian intelligence agencies, anti-terror Force One commandos and local police have been deployed. Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels patrol the Mumbai coastline even as warships including US Navy's Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship, carrying choppers, are in the Indian waters off the Mumbai harbour. The Gateway of India sea front has been sanitised.A host of dignitaries, US citizens in Mumbai and others will welcome him there when he lands at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport tomorrow afternoon. The President and First Lady Michelle will board a helicopter from the airport to naval air station INS Shikra in South Mumbai and then they will travel by road to Taj.The choice of Taj Hotel, the epicentre of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, for his two-day stay has been described by President Obama as a tribute to the resilience of the Indian people and to underscore the shared commitment of the two countries to counter terrorism. After checking in at the hotel Taj, President Obama will give his opening remarks to commemorate 26/11 attacks. He will pay his respects to the victims and sign the guest book.The US President, who is the follower of Gandhian philosophy, will then visit the Gandhi Museum at Mani Bhawan to honour the memory of the father of the nation. Later he will attend a business summit organised by the US-India Business Council and deliver a speech at Hotel Trident, another target of 26/11 attack. President Obama is expected to make a pitch for greater access to US companies to Indian market, particularly in financial and retail sectors, at the summit.On Sunday, the US President will visit the Holy Name School in Colaba and participate in Diwali celebrations with the school children. President Obama is scheduled to attend an Agricultural Exposition and the Open Government and Technology Exposition and also interact with university students at St. Xavier's college, before leaving for New Delhi in the afternoon.President Obama will arrive in Delhi on Sunday afternoon. In the capital, he will have talks with Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday and address the Members of both Houses of Parliament in the historic Central Hall in the evening.Ahead of Obama's visit, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said that the visit will reflect the essential continuity in the relationship between the two countries. The two sides will also sign a number of pacts to further deepen their co-operation in the areas of agriculture, clean energy, education and health.On the eve of President Obama's visit Washington has said India is an indispensable partner rising on global stage. National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer told a digital video-press conference with foreign journalists that lifting of restrictions on exports of dual use technology items will come up in the course of Obama's visit to India. He said the sides are working through it. He said US supports and encourages both India and Pakistan to resolve their bilateral issues directly. He said Washington's growing ties with New Delhi should not create any fear to Islamabad.Hammer also underlined that improving counter-terrorism cooperation is on Obama's agenda.
News On AIR | November 5, 2010 7:08 PM
‘ Mumbai all set to welcome President Obama