Obama arrives on 3-day visit to India; 18 announcements likely

MUMBAI: US President Barack Obama arrived here today on a three-day visit during which about 18 announcements are expected to be made on a wide range of areas covering economy, security and political spheres including possible easing of export controls on dual use items.

Obama, the sixth US President to visit India and the third in 10 years, arrived here along with his wife Michelle, cabinet colleagues, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and 200 business leaders, the largest such delegation ever.

The US Air Force One touched down at 12:50 p.m. on a visit which Donilon said the President intends to be "a full embrace of India's rise, a way to develop and deepen the broadest possible relationship with India as a cornerstone of our Asia policy."

The Presidential couple was warmly received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Union Minister Salman Khursheed, who is the minister-in-waiting, US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer and Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar.

After pleasantries, the President and his wife walked across the tarmac to a waiting US Marine One which flew them to the downtown. A smiling President waved to a strong gathering of journalists and photographers.