India getting ready for Obama: Delhi, Agra fortress for new Moghul

New Delhi: Central Delhi will face an unprecedented surface-to-air security arrangements starting January 24 in wake of US President Barack Obama’s three-day visit to India. Among the security arrangements being made include unprecedented deployment of about 60,000 security personnel, including both from India and the US Commandos, snipers from Indian security forces including NSG, Delhi police and paramilitary forces as well as Roof Top Teams from US Secret Service will be stationed at different locations and at least 75 high-rise buildings during Mr Obama’s stay in Delhi.

The security paraphernalia, however, will be at its highest during the Republic Day parade where the US president will be the chief guest. Apart from deployment of anti-aircraft guns at six different locations around the Rajpath, stringent sabotage checks will also be done of all sewer lines in Central Delhi, specially the route to be taken by the Republic Day parade till its culmination at Red Fort. Sources said after the sabotage check, all sewer lids will be sealed with the signature and names of the security officials concerned.

The Intelligence Bureau also issued an alert for Uttar Pradesh of a possible terror strike in wake of President Obama and his wife Michelle Obama’s visit to the Taj Mahal. Alternate landing arrangements are being made at the Jaipur airport also in case the Air Force One is not able to land in the National Capital due to dense fog.

Top Indian and US officials on Thursday held talks in New Delhi to finalise military-related outcomes, especially the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative, during Obama’s India visit. Frank Kendall, under secretary of Defence for acquisition, Technology and Logistics, held talks with senior officials, including defence secretary R.K. Mathur.

Obama’s Taj visit a stark contrast to Ike’s trip

Late US President Dwight Eisenhower’s visit to Agra over five decades ago presents a stark contrast to the changed global security situation now as President Obama prepares to visit Taj Mahal next week.

Over 4,000 policemen and 100 US Secret Service agents, bullet proof vehicles, buzzing choppers and motorboats on the Yamuna combine to provide an overarching security cover for Obama when he visits the historical monument of love.  

But it was an open Cadillac ride accompanied by Jawaharlal Nehru for the late US president when he visited the Taj Mahal in December, 1959.

Crowds lined up on both sides of the road as he drove past in an open Cadillac with Pandit Nehru waving back to the crowd amidst shouts of “Pt Jawaharlal Nehru ki jai” and “Long Live Indo-US friendship” and even “Welcome Ike” the pet name of the then US President,” says N.R. Smith, a veteran journalist who had covered that visit.  

“Over a hundred people” walked behind the Presidential Party as they strolled down the central causeway with fountains playing 15 feet high and falling, the floral patterns on the crystal clear water in the tanks. People, were close enough to “catch some of the sentences uttered by Pandit Nehru as he guided the US President and explained to him the finer points of the architecture of the building.”

CISF Commandos guard at the Taj Mahal in Agra (Photo: PTI)

Michelle coming

First Lady Michelle Obama will join President Obama on his trip, White House confirmed. He will also take with him Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, Democratic Senator Mark Warner, lawmakers, cabinet members and business leaders.

No Malia, Sasha

Malia and Sasha — the First Daughters of the US – will give a miss to trip as they tend only to travel with their parents when they are on vacation from school. Sasha and Malia won’t be accompanying them on the trip, deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said.

Unique event

Obama, scheduled to attend the Republic Day parade, has never attended an event of such a great symbolic importance overseas. “Given US-India history and the importance of Republic Day in India, it is of great importance,” Deputy NSA Ben Rhodes said.

Delhi : Security tightened ahead of Republic Day celebrations #ObamaInIndia pic.twitter.com/juh21O5uKP

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 23, 2015

Canine officers

A special squad of American ‘canine officers’ have reached Delhi to sanitise and conduct anti-sabotage checks. An elite team of seven Belgian ‘Malinois’ dogs, who shot to fame after they assisted the US Navy SEALS in sniffing out Bin Laden, have been flown down.

China factor

A former top American official cautioned that strengthening of Indo-US ties could antagonise China and Beijing.

“Let me express the hope that the US will not unintentionally intensify concerns in Beijing,” former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski said.