Barack Obama felt disappointed after missing Taj trip: White House

Washington, Apr 29: US President Barack Obama was "disappointed" at not being able to visit the iconic Taj Mahal during his trip to India last year, the White House has said.

"The President was quite disappointed to not have an opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal on his last visit to India," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Friday.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Obama had visited India in January last year to be the chief guest of at the annual Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.

Obama and US First Lady Michelle Obama were scheduled to visit Agra but the trip was cut short as the US President decided to go to Saudi Arabia to pay condolence to the Royal family following death of King Abdullah.

"That (a visit to the Taj) had originally been part of the itinerary, but the President had to cut short his visit to India because of the untimely death of the King of Saudi Arabia. So the President travelled to Saudi Arabia to pay his respects at that point," Earnest said.

"I think the President wishes I could promise that he would have an opportunity to visit Taj Mahal before the end of his presidency, but I'm not sure that will happen," the White House Press Secretary said indicating that this wish of Obama would remain unfulfilled when he leaves his presidency on January 20 next year.

PTI