New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) The friendly warmth and camaraderie between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama was on full display Monday as the two chatted and laughed like old friends over a two-hour period while watching India’s Republic Day parade and pageantry.
A day after the two leaders - one the prime minister of the world’s largest democracy and the other the president of the world’s oldest democracy - got down to referring to each other in first person terms - “Barack” and “Modi” respectively - their easy friendship was visible for the world to see.
Amid a steady drizzle that at times almost threatened to spoil the celebration of India’s military might, cultural diversity and technological prowess, Modi was seen carrying on a steady conversation with Obama, explaining to him the different facets of the Republic Day parade as it marched down Rajpath.
The two leaders chatted, mostly without the help of an interpreter, who was seated within the bullet proof enclosure. Within the enclosure was also President Pranab Mukherjee, US president's wife Michelle Obama, Vice President Hamid Ansari and his wife Salma.
Modi, whose sartorial vibrancy was also remarked on by Obama, was attired in a dark bandhgala and topped with a colourful tricolour Rajasthani turban. Modi is known to pay special attention to his attire and has become known for changing his dress for different occasions.
On Sunday, during the presidential banquet, Obama had complimented Modi’s dressing style and said “Tonight I was thinking about wearing a Modi kurta myself” - a reference to the popularity that Modi has brought to the kurta, matched with differently coloured sleeveless jackets.
While Obama was wearing a formal dark grey suit, with a lavender coloured tie, Modi topped his attire by donning a pair of stylish shades.
Michelle was seen chatting with Salma Ansari, but mostly kept quiet and watched the proceedings.
In the initial moments of the parade, when the tanks, missiles and armoured cars were wheeled on Rajpath, Obama looked on with interest, and continued to look interested in the long march past by different wings of India’s armed forces.
Towards the end of the march past, when the mounted floats from different states and the folk dancers came in a steady stream to showcase their cultural splendour, the attention of the US president appeared to flag.
But his companion, in Modi, kept up a lively chatter - explaining each bit with an expressive show of his hands.
Ironically, many of the showpieces exhibited at the parade are of Russian vintage - an indication of India’s reliance on an old ally for its important weaponry and armaments.
Among the exhibits were the BrahMos, the world's fastest short range ramjet supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by India and Russia. The T-90 Tank, Bhishma, was also exhibited. It is originally a Russian third-generation main battle tank and a mainstay of the military. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters from Russia swooped down on the sky towards the finale.
Obama did get to see some of the US-made acquisitions of India - the Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III - that flew down at low level formation over the Rajpath.
The daredevil motorbike stunts by men of the Border Security Force had the US president and his wife visibly interested and both clapped with enthusiasm.
On Sunday, Modi and Obama had taken a stroll in the lawns of Hyderabad House and chatted over tea -- in informal talks without aides, in what was called a “Chai pe Charcha” moment.
The talks Sunday also saw the two sides announce clinching of the agreement for implementation of the civil nuclear agreement, a major highpoint in India-US ties and the elevation of the bilateral relationship with a new India-US Delhi Declaration of Friendship.
The successful holding of the Republic Day parade, which marks perhaps the longest period of time that the US president has spent in the open in any country, went off without a hitch -- marking a high point for the security detail put in place for the VVIP guest who has the highest level of security in the world.
Modi’s invite to Obama to be chief guest, and the latter’s acceptance of the invite, has been described as a major triumph in diplomacy by the Modi government that has taken major strides in foreign policy since it came to power seven months ago.
Obama did come in his own car, The Beast, to the Rajpath, in a break from protocol and not in President Mukherjee's black limo.
Irfan Pathan claims - many finishers came, but there is no finisher like MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni's bat did not run as much in the IPL 2019 and 2020 seasons, but in IPL 2022 he has been in amazing form. Even the former captain has finished some matches for Chennai Super Kings. For this
BSEH 10th Result Update: Results could not be declared till May 31, read when HBSE 10th result will come
Haryana Board 10 result 2020 update: Haryana Board 10th results could not be released till the end of May. However, Haryana Board Secretary Rajiv Prasad told the media on May 20 that the 10th result
Is the government so helpless in front of TV news channels?
India's Attorney General KK Venugopal has expressed concern about the 'media trial'. In the Supreme Court on Tuesday, he said that the media's comments on many pending cases are like contempt of
Joe Root claimed, that Ben Stokes has a plan for the test match against India too
England captain Ben Stokes has given credit for picking the best player and new coach Brendon McCullum for the 3-0 Test series against New Zealand. Before this series, the England team had been losing
AAP-BJP fight reached murder-suicide: Sisodia said - there was a conspiracy to kill Kejriwal, Manoj Tiwari surrounded the suicide of AAP leader
Amidst the MCD elections, there is a continuous blame game between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party. Delhi's Deputy CM Manish Sisodia held a press conference at 10 am on Friday. Said- BJP is plotting
Know how long will Deepak Chahar be fit, big update on Washington Sundar's injury too
India's T20 specialist pacer Deepak Chahar will take some more time to fully recover from a hamstring injury. It is being told that Deepak Chahar will be fully fit in the next four to five weeks and
CUET UG 2022: CUET exams will start on 15th, these tips will help in preparation at the last moment
CUET UG 2022: The Common University Entrance Test/CUET UG examinations will be conducted from July 15, 2022. Admit cards for the exam can also be issued anytime now. In such a situation, now that only
BJP hands over letter of support to Kashmir Governor
Jammu, Feb 27 (IANS) A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators Friday handed over, to Jammu and Kshmir Governor N.N.Vohra, a letter conveying support to the Peoples Democratic Party
Petrol-diesel prices increased by Rs 30 a liter in PAK: Fuel became costlier by Rs 60 a liter in 6 days, and electricity rates would also increase
The price of petrol, diesel, and kerosene in Pakistan has been increased by Rs 30 per liter (in Pakistani currency). Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Thursday night – the government has no
A debate in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of farmers: Agriculture Minister said - the world knows that agriculture is done with water, only Congress can do farming with blood
When the debate on the issue of farmers started in the Rajya Sabha on Friday morning, the MPs were seen talking for almost three hours. During this time, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Congress leader