U.S. President Barack Obama was greeted in India yesterday with an elaborate welcome at the country’s sprawling presidential palace, then he solemnly laid a wreath at a memorial honoring the father of India’s independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi.

    The president arrived in New Delhi under hazy skies yesterday morning. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was waiting for Obama at the steps of Air Force One and the two men shared a hug, underscoring the warm relationship they have formed in the short time Modi has been in office.

    The president and prime minister will hold talks on climate change, defense and economic ties. Today, Obama was to be the guest of honor at India’s Republic Day festivities, making him the first U.S. president to attend the anniversary of the enactment of country’s democratic constitution.

    “It is a great honor,” Obama said after reviewing an Indian honor guard formation at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace. “We are so grateful for the extraordinary hospitality.”

    Following their meetings, Obama and Modi were to issue statements and address reporters. The normally bustling streets of New Delhi were empty and the sidewalks cleared by Indian police as Obama’s motorcade sped from the palace to Gandhi’s memorial. A massive security presence was in place for Obama’s visit, with numerous roadblocks and armed men lining the streets.

    Obama and Modi strolled briefly through the picturesque gardens of Hyderabad House where the leaders held their talks, walking past little ponds of lotus flowers, before sitting down and talking some more over tea. Both looked relaxed and smiled and laughed often as they chatted animatedly.

    Earlier, Obama walked in his socks into a walled courtyard to lay a large white wreath at the site where Gandhi, India’s independence icon, was cremated. He then shoveled dirt and poured a pitcher of water around a young tree planted in his honor at the memorial.

    While much of Obama’s trip here was to be symbolic, the White House was seeking to make progress on numerous policy matters. Relations between the U.S. and India have been strained in recent years, but have been improving since Modi took office last year.

    Obama is expected to push Modi to make changes to liability legislation in India that has prevented U.S. companies from capitalizing on a landmark civil nuclear agreement between the two countries in 2008.

    (SD-Agencies)