The wait was finally over as US President Barack Obama arrived India on Saturday in a historic trip beginning with Mumbai, the financial capital of the country and a target of the terrorists the two nations have vowed to combat unitedly.
Obama’s special plane Air Force One touched down Mumbai at 1250 pm, as he emerged out of the aircraft holding the hand of First Lady Michelle Obama, and waved.
He was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Union Minister and Obama’s Minister-in-Waiting for the trip, Salman Khurshid.
Obama, who is starting his 10-day four-country tour of Asia with India to prise open the Asian economy for US and create jobs back home after a major jolt in the midterm elections, chose to visit Mumbai first in a symbolic gesture.
Mumbai is the financial capital of India and also the city which bore the brunt of the 26/11 terror strikes.
In keeping with the itinerary Obama boarded a chopper to fly to INS Shikra, a naval air station in Colaba, from where he will travel by road to Taj Mahal Hotel.
At the Taj Mahal Hotel he will attend a memorial function of 26/11 survivors.
Mumbai has been turned into a fortress ahead of the high-profile visit.
Security drills with about 5,000 US and Indian personnel was conducted ahead of his visit in all the venues of Obama’s functions and stays, besides the routes of his movement in Mumbai.
India’s elite NSG and Force One commandos carried out the security drills, police said.
Several roads were closed to traffic and street vendors.
At least 250 journalists are accompanying Obama in this crucial trip which the President would try to use to create jobs back home.
He will be in India till Nov 9.
Ahead of flying from USA, he spoke about doubling the US exports to India.
“We have to keep fighting for every job,” he said, adding that he is open to any idea or proposal to revive the economy.
He also wished the people on the occasion of Diwali.
“To those celebrating Diwali in India, I look forward to visiting you over the next few days. I wish you and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,” said Obama.
Obama is accompanied by a high-level delegation that is likely to include his National Security Adviser Tom Donillon; Timothy Geithner, Secretary of Treasury; Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce; Thomas Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture; Rajiv Shah Administrator of USAID, and others.