Posted on 10/06/2010 12:45:46 PM PDT by Red Steel
WASHINGTON: WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama is likely to arrive in India on November 5 instead of November 7 as originally scheduled. He will leave Washington DC on the night of November 4 soon after the mid-term Congressional election where many pundits are predicting severe reverses for the Democratic Party.
He will be away from the US for almost 12 days, one of the longest tours during his presidency, touching India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, before returning to Washington DC on November 14.
The four-country visit involves major US friends and allies at a time when there is concern in Washington and Asian capitals over China's assertive stance. The trip, for now, also excludes Pakistan, Washington's notional ally, which typically agitates for a visit whenever US presidents travel to India, and is peeved if that does not happen.
First lady Michelle Obama is expected to accompany him on at least the first leg of his tour to India, contrary to earlier reports. But their children, Malia and Sasha, are likely to miss out on a holiday they were reported to have looked forward to, because they will not be allowed to skip school. Obama will be the sixth American President to visit India after (in preceding order) Presidents Bush, Clinton, Carter, Nixon and Eisenhower.
Save some of those firecrackers if you are a fan of Barack Obama and/or a votary of better India-U.S ties: The American President will arrive in India on Diwali night, at the tail end of the festival of lights.
The White House has advanced President Obama's visit to India by two days, according to sources. He will now be landing in India on the night of November 5, instead of November 7 as previously reported. He is also likely to make a meaningful gesture by flying directly to Mumbai, scene of the 26/11 terrorist attack initiated (according to Bob Woodward's book) by the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.
Obama is scheduled to address a U.S-India Business and Entrepreneurship Summit in Mumbai on November 6 and pay homage to victims of 26/11 terrorist attack before flying up north for the formal part of his visit.
As reported in these columns, Obama will also make a day-trip to Amritsar on November 7 before he touches New Delhi for a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Although the schedule could change, he is expected to address a joint session of the Indian parliament on November 8 before leaving for Indonesia on the second leg of his four-country tour.
In fact, Obama will leave Washington DC on November 4 night soon after the mid-term Congressional election, in which many pundits are predicting reverses for the Democratic Party. He will be away from the U.S for almost 12 days, the longest tour during his presidency, touching India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, before returning to Washington DC on November 14.
The four-country visit involves major U.S friends and allies at a time when there is concern in Washington and Asian capitals over China's assertive stance.
The trip, for now, also excludes Pakistan, Washington's notional and troubled ally, which typically agitates for a comparable and simultaneous visit whenever U.S presidents travel to India, and is peeved if that does not happen.
First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to accompany him on at least the first leg of his tour to India, contrary to earlier reports. But their children, Malia and Sasha, are likely to miss out on a holiday they were reported to have looked forward to, because they will not be allowed to miss school.
Obama will be the sixth American President to visit India after (in preceding order) Presidents Bush, Clinton, Carter, Nixon, and Eisenhower.
He’s gone. For almost 2 weeks to get away from the crushing mid-term election defeat that he sees coming.
Good bye and good riddance. Do the US a favor, stay there.
His back will be thrown out from bowing so much.
This trip is just to BLUNT the coverage of the Republican takeover!! ME ME ME!!
This trip is just to BLUNT the coverage of the Republican takeover!! ME ME ME!!
How like him to bother India on their biggest holiday, celebration of lights and good over evil.
Hmm he is going to pay tribute the date of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Wonder what he will say to them? Will he call those terrorist who did it Tea Baggers?
What is “Diwali night” ?
RATS know when to desert a sinking ship.
Even ones that they help sink.
Why not leave now & stay there forever?
In Hinduism, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (the demon king) Ravana, the ruler of Lanka in the epic Ramayana. It also celebrates the slaying of the demon king Narakasura by Lord Krishna. Both signify the victory of good over evil. In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha by Mahavira in 527 BC.[3][4] In Sikhism, Diwali commemorates the return of Guru Har Gobind Ji to Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir; the people lit candles and diyas to celebrate his return. This is the reason Sikhs also refer to Diwali as Bandi Chhorh Divas, "the day of release of detainees". Diwali is considered a national festival in India and Nepal.
“Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (the demon king) Ravana”
Oh the symbolism! Not Lord Rama, but Lord ObamaRama!
Will he bring 52 Fighter jets? No! Perhaps $52,0000!
We will see....
“How like him to bother India on their biggest holiday, celebration of lights and good over evil.”
I have been speaking to one of the Indian guys at work. He says Indian people are annoyed that the Dawali festival is being disrupted. They can’t have fireworks at the places BO visits and a lot of things will be closed down because of him.
BBC reported that one museum cut all of the coconuts down from the trees so BO wouldn’t be endangered by them. LOL
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