Obama gets ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

NEW DELHI - A ceremonial reception was accorded to US President Barack Obama at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here Monday morning.

On the third day of his trip to India, President Obama and his wife Michelle were welcomed warmly at the presidential palace forecourt by Indian President Pratibha Patil and her husband Devisingh Patil. They were then greeted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gursharan Kaur.

President Obama, who arrived Saturday in Mumbai and reached New Delhi Sunday afternoon, will leave for Rajghat after the ceremonial welcome to pay tribute at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi — Obama’s “real hero”.

He will then hold formal talks with Prime Minister Singh and address a joint press conference.

In the evening, he will address a joint sitting of parliament before heading for a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan.