The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to India would strengthen bilateral ties across the full spectrum of the relationship between the two countries.
"We see the visit of President Obama to India as strengthening our ties across the full breadth of our full spectrum relationship. Ties between our government, ties between our people and institutions," said MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.
Akbaruddin said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome President Obama at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
"At the ceremonial welcome, the Prime Minister will be there to welcome President Obama at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will also be leading the Indian delegation at the bilateral talks. Bilateral discussions at Hyderabad House will be in restricted format, delegation-level discussions will be over lunch. In the evening, at the official banquet, Prime Minister Modi will be present as a guest and President of India will be the host," he said.
"The next day both the leaders will be there in the Republic Day celebrations. Subsequently in the afternoon, the Prime Minister will be there at the president's place. After that, the two leaders will address a business event. President Obama will also address Man ki Baat along with Prime Minister Modi," he added.
He confirmed that Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal would be the minister-in-waiting during Obama's visit.
Akbaruddin also said that President Obama will visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on January 27 before departing for the US.
Security has been stepped up along the international border between India and Pakistan and in the capital in view of the U.S. President's visit.
Obama will arrive in New Delhi on January 25 to take part in Republic Day celebrations on the invitation of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He will be the first U.S. President to attend a Republic Day celebration, the White House said. Obama, who visited India in 2010, would also be the first U.S. president to visit the country twice while in office.
Obama's participation at Republic Day celebrations as chief guest is a sign of steadily expanding ties between the two countries that share concerns about China's growing power in Asia.
India traditionally invites a head of state to participate as chief guest for Republic Day celebrations, which culminates in a military parade including its nuclear capable missiles.
Modi met Obama on a visit to the United States in September last year and they have spoken by telephone since. Their relationship is thought to have helped resolve a major trade spat in the World Trade Organization.
