Obama India Visit

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

US President Barack Obama arrives in India on Sunday for the second time, to build on what he calls one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. He will be accompanied by his wife Michelle. New Delhi will turn into a virtual fortress for Obama's three-day visit, during which he will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Heavy security at Rajghat ahead of US President Obama's visit.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

An Indian armed "Rapid Response" personnel stands guard at the Hotel ITC Maurya where US President Barack Obama will stay during his visit to India in New Delhi.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Hotel Maurya Sheraton all set to welcome the Obamas.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Inside the Maurya Sheraton: A red carpet and floral rangoli to welcome the Obamas.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Meanwhile in Nagpur, people express their excitement for POTUS and FLOTUS visit, in a traditional way.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Hyderabad House in New Delhi is all decked up for PM Narendra Modi's meeting with US President Barack Obama.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Red carpet being rolled out at Palam Airport, New Delhi, in preparation for President Obama's arrival in India.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Weavers from Kashi will gift US first lady Michelle Obama with over 100 Banarasi sarees. The gift is believed to be on a special request from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

US President Barack Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle, arrives in India on Sunday for the second time, to build on what he calls one of the defining relationships of the 21st century.

New Delhi will turn into a virtual fortress for Obama's three-day visit, during which he will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

Seen here: Indian students perform a dance in colorful masks during the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

PM Modi, President Obama and other dignitaries from the world's two largest democracies will attend the Republic Day celebrations on Monday, January 26, which include a massive military parade.

The capital will turn into a virtual fortress for US President Barack Obama's visit with heightened security measures including an extended no-fly zone to protect the world's most powerful leader.

While a no-fly zone bars commercial flights during the two-hour procession, the programme wraps up with a fly-past by military planes.

Seen here: Indian fighters fly past during the dress rehearsal ahead of the parade.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Spectators watch Indian air force fighters perform stunts during the Republic Day parade dress rehearsal ahead of chief guest, President Barack Obama's visit.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

President Obama's three-day visit to India will include a day-long trip to the Taj Mahal with his wife Michelle.

The Taj Mahal will be made exclusively available to the US President.

In picture: A worker employed by a local contractor scrubs the road to the Taj Mahal ahead of President Obama's visit.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

A worker cleans a water pond inside the grounds of the Taj Mahal ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit in Agra.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

In Agra, Secret Service agents, accompanied by commandos of the Agra Police, completed a recce of the Taj Mahal.

All hotels in the city have been asked to ensure that their security cameras are working and that complete lists of guests are maintained and shared with local intelligence officials.

Security has been increased at train and bus stations as well.

Special security personnel and sharp shooters will be placed in high-rises in Agra.

'Namo'ste Obama: All Set For POTUS

Barack Obama is the first US president to visit India twice while in office.

Given the US-India history and given the importance of Republic Day in India, the visit has great symbolic importance.

President Obama departs from Delhi on January 27.

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