New Delhi: US President Barack Obama on Sunday visited Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his final resting place.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal accompanied President Obama who laid wreath at the memorial. Both Obama and Piyush Goyal paid floral tribute to the Gandhi.
President Obama also planted a sapling at Raj Ghat.
Earlier in the day, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed in New Delhi for their three-day visit of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the Air Force Station at Palam to greet the visiting dignitaries. The three shared pleasantries before President Obama left for his hotel.
Later, President Pranab Mukherjee formally welcomed his US counterpart to India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Obama was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, with a grand welcome ceremony followed by the Guard of Honour, where the battalion was led by Wing Commander Pooja Thakur of the Indian Air Force. The US President also received a 21-gun salute.
National anthems of both nations were also played to welcome the visiting President.
President Obama has been accompanied by a sizable delegation of top leaders on his trip to India, including Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, among others.
President Obama, who is the chief guest of this year’s Republic Day parade, will be the first US president to attend the Republic Day celebrations.
Obama, who visited India in 2010, is also be the first US president to visit the country twice while in office.