Washington, United States: US President Barack Obama, who is scheduled to attend India's Republic Day parade next week, has never attended an event of such a great symbolic importance overseas, a top official has said. "It's a unique event. (Fortress Delhi For Obama's Visit. These Are the Arrangements)
Given the US-India history and given the importance of Republic Day in India, it is of great symbolic importance. And so that's why he was more than pleased to accept the invitation," Deputy National Security Advisor for US President Ben Rhodes said. (Close India-US Ties Could Antagonise China Warns Former US National Security Advisor)
Even domestically, the US President's inauguration is the only event that can be compared with Obama's participation in India's Republic Day parade this Monday, he said yesterday.
"I do not think Mr. Obama has attended any national day ceremonies as President. I am fairly confident of that. I have been on just about all of his foreign travel and I can't recall President Obama attending any other national day ceremony," Rhodes said. (The Many Interactions Planned for PM Modi and President Obama)
Asked if this is a security nightmare, he said, "With respect to the President's security requirements, all I can tell you is, for instance, the President views his own inaugural parade.
"The two times he's been inaugurated, we had substantial parades here in the US to mark the presidential inauguration in which the President walks in the parade and then is on a reviewing stand for a period of hours in front of the White House. (President Obama to Join PM Modi in 'Mann ki Baat' Radio Address)
So to me that's the closest analogy," Rhodes said. "They're obviously different events, but that the most analogous event where the President is in a reviewing stand viewing this type of ceremony for a period of hours, I think that's the closest analogy we have," he said. (Opinion: 'Mann Ki Baat' With Obama, Tick. But What Else?)
"There's not been a similar event that he's attended overseas in which he's done so, so it's unique in that case," Rhodes added.
Given the US-India history and given the importance of Republic Day in India, it is of great symbolic importance. And so that's why he was more than pleased to accept the invitation," Deputy National Security Advisor for US President Ben Rhodes said. (Close India-US Ties Could Antagonise China Warns Former US National Security Advisor)
"I do not think Mr. Obama has attended any national day ceremonies as President. I am fairly confident of that. I have been on just about all of his foreign travel and I can't recall President Obama attending any other national day ceremony," Rhodes said. (The Many Interactions Planned for PM Modi and President Obama)
Asked if this is a security nightmare, he said, "With respect to the President's security requirements, all I can tell you is, for instance, the President views his own inaugural parade.
Advertisement
So to me that's the closest analogy," Rhodes said. "They're obviously different events, but that the most analogous event where the President is in a reviewing stand viewing this type of ceremony for a period of hours, I think that's the closest analogy we have," he said. (Opinion: 'Mann Ki Baat' With Obama, Tick. But What Else?)
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Barack Obama, Wife Michelle Endorse Kamala Harris' Bid For US Presidency Report Reveals Why Barack Obama Hasn't Endorsed Kamala Harris In US Polls Obama Praises Biden's "Lifetime Of Service" Following Oval Office Address Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool This US City Has Been Declared America's Least Desirable, Survey Finds Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region Gaza Ceasefire Talks Underway In Qatar As Deaths Top 40,000 Trump To Hold Press Conference, His Campaign Adds Senior Advisers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.