New Delhi:
US President Barack Obama today arrived here on the second leg of his four-day visit to India and was personally received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who set aside protocol to welcome the guest. (
Read: Obama visit - No hyphens in India)
The Air Force One carrying Obama, his wife Michelle and the official delegation touched down at the Delhi Airport at 3.19 pm. (
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Soon after alighting from the aircraft, Obama hugged Singh after shaking hands with him and greeted his wife Gursharan Kaur with a peck on her cheek. Michelle did the same to Singh and Kaur.
The couples were seen chatting for a few minutes before the visiting dignitaries introduced to officials in the reception line including Minister-in-Waiting Salman Khursheed, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar.
In a special gesture, Singh accompanied by Kaur received Obama and Michelle, signifying the importance India attaches to the US President's maiden visit during which specific announcements on issues like counter-terrorism, regional security and clean energy to be announced after talks between the two leaders tomorrow.
Singh had received Obama's predecessor George W Bush at the airport when he visited India in 2006. The Prime Minister had also gone to the airport to personally receive Saudi Arabia King Abdullah.
During his two-day stay in Delhi, Obama will have a hectic schedule including a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, visit to Rajghat and Humayun's Tomb and other engagements such as his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his address to Parliament.
For Obama's Capital visit, security agencies are taking no chances, and a multi-layered security in is in place. There is tight security at the ITC Maurya hotel where President Obama will stay during his visit.
Not just the hotel, places like Humayun's tomb and Rajghat that are on the itinerary, have been closed to other visitors. Hundreds of snipers will keep a watch from rooftops on the routes the US President will be taking while aerial surveillance will also be maintained, officials said.
Around 2,000 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in and around the hotel which had earlier hosted US Presidents Bill Clinton in 2000 and George W Bush in 2006 besides US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last year.
(
With PTI Inputs)