Outsourcing, visa row to figure in talks with Obama: Foreign Secretary

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao briefed the press in New Delhi today about the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama.

"Our Prime Minister visited US in November 2009 and was given honour of first state visit of Obama administration. President Obama's visit will reciprocate that," said the Foreign Secretary.  The last visit from the United States was President George Bush in 2006.

President Obama will reach Mumbai in forenoon of November 6 and will first pay homage to victims of terror attacks of 26/11. He will then attend  a business summit organized by US-Indo Business Council.

On November 7, he will address town hall meeting and associated events at St Xavier's College and celebrate Diwali at a primary school. He flies to Delhi the same day and will visit the Humayun's tomb in the capital. After that, the Obamas will be hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a private dinner.

The official visit begins on November 8, with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan followed by visit to Raj Ghat.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obama will meet and discuss regional and bilateral issues and how to expand strategic framework of India-US relations on basis of shared interests. The Prime Minister will be assisted by Ministers of Finance, Defence, among others.

After conclusion of the summit, they will preside over meeting of CEOs, followed by a joint press conference.

"Both India and the US are of the view that obstacles on the issue of dual-use technology need to be reviewed," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.

President Obama will address a joint-session of Parliament on Monday and will also be called upon by the Leader of the Opposition, Sushma Swaraj. President Obama wraps up his day of meetings in Delhi by meeting President Pratibha Patil in Rashtrapati Bhawan and a state dinner.

Significantly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obama have met five times in the last 18 months. The Foreign Secretary had said on Tuesday, that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is looking forward to continuing extremely productive dialogue on the global economic situation that he has had with Obama, and the threat of terrorism which the two countries face will also figure during their discussions.

New Delhi has already indicated it is not expecting any "big bang" outcome from the forthcoming visit of US President Barack Obama but said it will help in creating a long-term strategic framework by providing substantive content and shape to the bilateral ties. (with PTI Inputs)