US asks for a no-fly zone over Rajpath during Obama's visit, India declines

New Delhi, Jan 18: India has rejected a suggestion by US President Barack Obama's security teams for a no-fly zone over Rajpath on the Republic Day, says media reports.

Obama's security team had requested India to impose a 5-km ‘no-fly-zone' around Rajpath during the Republic Day parade for which he is the chief guest.

According to media reports, India denied the request citing the fact that it is a tradition on Republic Day to have a fly past.

"The US team was told that this was simply not possible," said a Times of India report.

According to the report, 18 fighter jets, five aircraft and 10 helicopters will take part in the flypast this year, flying at heights from 60-metre to 300-metre above the ground.

Reports say the advance team of US secret service had also sought the closure of Central Delhi and Delhi-Agra Highway for three days during President Obama's visit to India. The President will be in India from January 25-27.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Obama on his visit to the United States in September last year and they have spoken on telephone since then.

Obama, who had visited India in 2010, would also be the first US President to visit the country twice while in office.

OneIndia News