Obama arrives on three-day visit to India

MUMBAI: US President Barack Obama arrived here on Saturday on the first leg of his three-day visit that will seek to focus on opening up of Indian markets for American businesses and deal with wide range of political issues, including strategy on counter-terrorism.

The Air Force One carrying Obama and his wife Michelle touched down at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here at 12:50 p.m.

Obama and his wife walked down the ladder to a red carpet welcome and were received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who presented him a memento.

The other dignitaries who received him on the tarmac were Union Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khursheed, who will be the minister-in-waiting, Indian Ambassador in the US Meera Shankar.

On sighting the US Ambassador in India Timothy Roemer in the reception line, the President gave him a spirited hand-shake and the envoy gave him a warm embrace.

The Obama couple exchanged a few pleasantries with the Roemers before walking briskly to Marine One which too them to INS Shikra from where he would be driven down to the iconic Taj Hotel.

Source: Times of India