Barack Obama in India

Barack Obama arrived in India on Sunday with a historic visit, he will become the first US president to take part in the celebration of Republic Day. The purpose of the visit, according to the American president, is to build the most important relations that determine 21 century diplomacy.

During his visit to India, Barack Obama seeks to strengthen the strategic partnership with the third largest economic power country in Asia, as well as to support his personal friendship with the country's prime minister Narendra Modi, who violated the protocol by meeting Obama personally and embracing him as soon as the United States landed in new delhi.

The key topics for talks during the visit are expected to be as follows:

Strategic importance

The sheer size of India, the rapidly developing economy and potential as a democratic balance for China are increasing the importance of this South Asian country as a strategic element of the US military and commercial strategy. The authority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the region has already served closer allied ties with Washington, but differences remain between countries over Pakistan, India is also worried about the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. India seeks closer cooperation in the fight against terrorism, as well as access to high-tech products used for civilian and military purposes.

Defense

According to a statement made by the Indian government in August, the United States took over the championship from Russia, which until then had remained the largest supplier of weapons to India. India is the world's largest arms importer. US officials privately predict that during the visit a number of agreements will be concluded, including, possibly, agreements on joint production of Raven drone and systems for Lockheed's C-130 transport aircraft. On the way to closer ties - foreign companies that own a controlling stake in defense companies and doubts in the United States about the export of specific technologies.

Nuclear power for peaceful purposes

Speaking at a joint press conference in New Delhi, Barack Obama said that countries had made a breakthrough in the field of trade in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The words of the President of the United States were supported by the Prime Minister of India, Naendra Modi, who stated that India was ready to sign an agreement with the United States.

Officials in the United States and India last year took steps to unlock billions of dollars in potential trading revenue in the field of nuclear power. However, it is not clear whether agreement can be reached during Obama’s visit. The parties signed a basic nuclear treaty in 2008.

Climate change

It is expected that the United States and India will announce joint efforts in the fight against climate change on the eve of the upcoming key global talks in Paris this year. India is the third country in the world in industrial carbon emissions and reluctantly follows the United States and China in reducing emissions during the peak season, citing the need for economic growth to reduce poverty in the country. Instead, India seems to be announcing plans to dramatically increase the use of renewable energy sources, for which it needs US investment and technology, coupled with improved energy efficiency.

Renewable energy sources

India wants US companies to invest 100 billions of dollars in renewable energy. Modi promised to help US companies specializing in renewable energy in their entry into the Indian market during his visit to Washington last year. A barrier to investment is a condition that requires foreign companies to produce most of the equipment in India, which, according to business leaders, will lead to increased costs.

Economic relations

Last year, Modi and Obama set the goal of a fivefold increase — up to 500 billions of dollars — in annual trade between the United States and India. However, American business leaders are disappointed with restrictions on access to the Indian market and disputes over the protection of intellectual property rights. India is trying to impose arbitrary taxation for foreign companies, and may be close to concluding a bilateral tax treaty with Washington.

Visit schedule

By attending the Indian Republic Day, 26, in January, Obama will be the first US President to attend a celebration marking the day when the constitution of this South Asian country comes into force in 1950.

The leaders of the United States and India established a good relationship when Modi was in Washington on an official visit last year.

Modi invited the American President and First Lady of the country to the Republic Day ceremony as his guests.

Obama's visit to India will consist of bilateral meetings at the highest level and economic negotiations between American and Indian business leaders.

The US president also scheduled a visit to the famous Indian landmark Taj Mahal on Tuesday, but was forced to cancel his plans to visit Saudi Arabia, where the king Abdullah died the other day.

As stated in the White House on Saturday, Obama will leave India immediately after delivering a speech on Tuesday. It was originally planned that the US delegation to Riyadh will be headed by the Vice President of the USA Joe Biden, but later it was decided that Obama himself would fly to the capital of Saudi Arabia.

At the time of Obama’s visit, India is detaching 50 thousands of security personnel who will guard the US president and the Indian leader in New Delhi.

A no-fly zone will be established over the Indian capital during the parade.

Source - Voice of America