New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) US President Barack Obama, who was accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan Sunday, said it's "a great honour" to be back in India.
"It's a great honour to be back in India. I am grateful for the extraordinary hospitality," Obama told reporters in the forecourt of the magnificent presidential palace where he was escorted by Wing Commander Puja Thakur as he inspected the tri-service guard of honour.
President's Bodyguard's mounted troops earlier escorted the US presidential motorcade that rolled in at 12.15 p.m. through the iron gates of the impressive presidential palace.
The 21-gun salute sounded as horses escorted The Beast - carrying the US president - down the path leading to the forecourt.
He was received by President Pranab Mukherjee dressed in a black bandgala suit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had changed into a light striped black bandgala suit from his morning attire of light cream-coloured kurta pyjama with beige Nehru jacket paired with a red shawl.
Obama chatted and laughed with Mukherjee and Modi before proceeding to a podium for the ceremonial welcome.
Obama, who is the first US president to be chief guest at India's Republic Day parade, walked along the red carpet to stand on a podium, covered by a red canvas top with gold trim.
The military band stretched in ranks before him as the national anthems of India and the US were played.
He then inspected the tri-service guard of honour.
Obama was introduced to union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Nejeeb Jung, and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.
Once again Obama exchanged pleasantries and warmly shook hands with Mukherjee and Modi.
He folded his hands together to say 'Namaste', the traditional Indian way of greeting, as he left for Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
Modi asks states to work in tandem with Centre
New Delhi, Feb 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday asked chief ministers of all states to forge a model of "cooperative federalism" so that the central and the state governments can
Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: Supreme Court's big decision, order for the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Perarivalan
The Supreme Court took a big decision on Wednesday in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The top court has ordered the release of AG Perarivalan, one of the convicts serving
China: China will soon open its borders to Indian students, Chinese PM said – travel restrictions will be relaxed
China says that progress has been made on the issue of the return of thousands of Indian students stranded due to visa restrictions imposed due to Kovid. Addressing global business leaders on Tuesday,
Tomato Flu: Tomato flu is not related to corona, monkeypox, dengue, or chikungunya, Center sent an advisory to states
The Center has sent an advisory to the states on HFMD (Hand Foot and Mouth Disease), commonly known as tomato flu, stating that it is a self-limiting disease that mostly occurs in the age group of 1
Russia-Ukraine War: Russia shelling in Ukraine's city of Kupiansk, and one person was killed; many houses destroyed
Russian shelling destroyed several houses and killed one person in the city of Kupiansk in Ukraine's northern province of Kharkiv. The governor of Kharkiv province gave this information. Meanwhile,
Novak Djokovic: Novak Djokovic reaches the final of Wimbledon for the ninth time, and will clash with Alcaraz in the title match
Serbia's legendary tennis player Novak Djokovic has made his place in the final of the Wimbledon Open. Djokovic defeated Italy's Yannick Sinner in the first semi-final of men's singles played on
Madhya Pradesh: High court gives a blow to the government, ban on 27% OBC reservation in the education department
Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the 27% OBC reservation in the recruitment of teachers in the School Education Department. The High Court in its order has directed to give 14% OBC reservation.
Swiss woman tourist dies of swine flu in Rajasthan
Jaipur, Feb 12 (IANS) A elderly Swiss woman tourist died of swine flu in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city Thursday, taking the toll in the state to 118, officials said."A 70-year-old lady tourist, Annie
Amit Shah Birthday: 'Amit Shah's role in strengthening BJP is commendable', PM Modi congratulated 'Chanakya' on his 59th birthday.
The Union Home Minister is celebrating his 59th birthday today. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Union Home Minister Amit Shah on his birthday. During this, PM Modi also praised
Nepal's claim on Rama, Valmiki Ramayana more than 2000 years old and Ayodhya settled on the banks of Saryu, Rama's birthplace in Skanda Purana, more than a thousand years old
Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli's statement that Lord Ram is a Nepali has given a new lease of politics in the name of Ram. The reality is that Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya, which is in Uttar
