Manmohan breaks protocol to receive Obamas in New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set aside the protocol to be present at the airport to receive US President  Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as they arrived in New Delhi late on November 7 on the second leg of their four-day visit to India.

It’s an honour Singh has bestowed on very few leaders. He first started the practice by greeting former US president George W Bush in March 2006. The next leader Singh received at the airport in Delhi was Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Obama and Singh hugged each other and Michelle planted a peck on Singh’s cheek. Obama also greeted Mrs Singh with a peck on her cheek and his wife held her hand as they walked the red carpet.

The Obamas’ schedule in the national capital on November 7 included a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb. Later in the evening, Dr Singh hosted a private dinner at his residence for the US first couple.

Several agreements are expected to be signed after the conclusion of the delegation-level talks. Earlier in the day, at a meeting in Mumbai, Mr Obama indicated that announcements on regional security, climate change and clean energy could be expected after talks with Dr Singh.

India and the US are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for a commercial space launch and also possibly an MoU on weather and crop forecasting.

An announcement on India’s plans to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) could also come when Mr Obama is here. Entry into the NSG will provide a boost to India’s attempts to source uranium from global suppliers.

The US seems keen to emphasise that the relations between the two countries are broadbased and a win-win situation for both.