Obama to arrive in India on the eve of Diwali

Washington, Oct 6: The American President, Barack Obama will be visiting India on Diwali night, Nov 5, flying most likely into Mumbai first, the White House sources said.

Obama is scheduled to address a US-India Business and Entrepreneurship Summit in Mumbai on Nov 6 and also pay homage to victims of the Mumbai Terrorist Attack 26/11, before flying up to north India.

On Nov 7, Obama will also visit Amritsar before he goes to New Delhi for a formal ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Although the schedule could change, he is also expected to address a joint session of Parliament on Nov 8 before leaving for Indonesia on the second leg of his four-country tour.

First Lady Michelle Obama is also expected to accompany him on at least the first leg of his tour to India, sources said.

According to the sources, Obama will leave Washington DC on Nov 4 soon after the mid-term Congressional election.

He will be away from the US for almost 12 days, one of the longest tours during his presidency, visiting India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, before returning to Washington DC on Nov 14.

The trip also excludes Pakistan, Washington's notional ally, which typically agitates for a visit whenever US presidents travel to India, and is peeved if that does not happen.

OneIndia News