{President Barack Obama has become the first US leader to be guest of honor at India’s Republic Day Parade marking independence from British rule in 1947. This is seen as a show of closer ties between India and the US.}<\/p>\n
A 21-gun-salute began the parade under cloudy skies on the Rajpath, a boulevard connecting the presidential palace to India Gate in the capital, New Delhi.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people gathered to watch the two-hour procession with troops, rows of tanks, missiles and formations of horses and camels. The event is an annual display of India’s military power and cultural diversity.<\/p>\n
The US president’s visit is being seen as a display of solidarity between the US and India in the face of a well-armed and internationally-present China.<\/p>\n
Modi said Obama’s visit “reflects the transformation of our relationship.”<\/p>\n
Obama arrived in India on Sunday and has held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders have agreed a series of deals including for US companies to set up up nuclear reactors in India, and a 10-year framework for defense ties.<\/p>\n
Deals on cooperation also included the joint production of drone aircraft and equipment for Lockheed Martin Corp’s C-130 military transport plane. Initiatives to help India use renewable energy to lower carbon intensity have also been agreed.<\/p>\n
The two leaders have also established a communications hotline, the first for India at a leadership level.<\/p>\n
Obama is to leave India, ahead of the original, three-day schedule to travel to Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah.<\/p>\n
(DW, Reuters)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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