PM Modi and Barack Obama may do a joint radio address in India

NEW DELHI: During his visit to Washington DC in September, Narendra Modi penned a joint op-ed along with Barack Obama in the Washington Post, the first time either leader had done it. India wants to keep this exclusive club going.

Ahead of Obama's visit here this weekend, efforts are on to see whether the two leaders can do a joint radio address. In the US, the President does a weekly radio address anyway. Since taking charge as PM, Modi has adopted the radio as a means of communicating to the masses through his " Mann Ki Baat" programme.

The visit is believed to be special because Obama is expected to be bringing his family — wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia. His daughters have been specially invited to visit India, and it's a sign of the state of the relationship. In 1995, it was the turn of then first lady Hilary Clinton to bring her own daughter Chelsea to India. Obama's national security adviser Susan Rice has already done a family vacation in India with her children, which may have served as recommendation.

Obama is expected to arrive on January 25, which will be the day of bilateral meetings, delegation-level talks, etc, followed by a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On the 26th, the Republic Day ceremonies will dominate the day's proceedings, with an 'At Home' reception by the President. On the 27th, Obama is scheduled to give a speech on India and America in the Siri Fort Auditorium. In 2010, Obama had done a town-hall meeting in St Xavier's College, Mumbai, as well as celebrated Diwali, sans the fireworks though.

Quite apart from the substantive discussions and deliverables, the main focus of the visit will still be the fact that Obama will be chief guest at the Republic Day parade, presiding over a military display and tableaux, showcasing India's cultural mosaic.