Obama visit: The countdown begins

New Delhi: The countdown to US President Barack Obama's India visit has begun.

The President and his entourage have left Washington, for what is Obama's longest overseas tour of his presidency.

The tour begins in India where he hopes to encourage business deals to rejuvenate the US economy and also improve his re-election prospects for 2012.

The President is taking 200 chief executives of American firms to India, and is set to arrive in Mumbai on Saturday morning, after a stopover at Germany.

Obama wishes Happy Diwali

Hours before he set out for his India visit, Obama wished people on Diwali.

"This is a day when members of some of the world's oldest religions celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Last year, I marked this holiday as many will this weekend - by lighting the Diya, or lamp. To those celebrating Diwali in India, I look forward to visiting you over the next few days. I wish you and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak," said Obama.(Read: Obama wishes Happy Diwali)