Continuing its very close and strategic relationship with the United States under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India has invited American President Barrack Obama to address the joint session of the two houses of Parliament when he arrives in India on his first state in November.
Government sources say that Obama is likely to address the joint session on November 9 and the government may advance the winter session by a week or so, to ensure full attendance since the winter session is only convened after mid-November.
Obama is likely to arrive in India on November 7 and is also likely to visit Agra and the Taj Mahal during his visit. November is likely to be a packed month as the presidents of France and Russia are also likely to come to India in November.
Former US President Bill Clinton had addressed
The Japanese premier was, however, given the honour but this was basically reciprocal since the Japanese had first taken the lead in this.
Preparations have already begun for the high profile visit of President Obama though government sources say that a part of the schedule and the details would be kept under wraps for security reasons.
India is expected to lay out the red carpet as it did with both Clinton and Bush. But while the Bush visit had raised a great deal of acrimony, the Obama visit is expected to lend a feel good factor as well as being welcomed on all sides.
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