According to a reliable source in the administration in Washington, United States President Barack Obama will be visiting Mumbai and New Delhi only during his trip to India in November. His proposed visit to Amrtisar is unlikely to happen, said the high level source.
A security expert in New Delh said, along with the issue of headscarf, even the security angle must be behind the cancellation of proposal to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is just a few kilometres away from the Pakistan border.
As per media reports, Obama's team had reservations about President wearing a headscarf to visit the Golden Temple. As per Sikh tradition, it's compulsory to cover the head when one enters the Gurudwara, their place of worship.
Obama is facing a crisis of image in conservative and right wing sections in the US society. Since his middle name is Hussein, his religiosity is being debated hotly, in spite of Obama declaring that he is a practising Christian.
The visit of the US President to any country is always symbolic, high on spin and planned around possibilities of the memorable video footages and powerful pictures important for political albums of the leader.
US presidential visits are always the extension of America's power projection on global platform. During his visit to Japan, Obama was criticised for bowing too much while meeting Japan's royal family.
A senior advisor in the government, who has served in Washington, said, "The issue of headscarf is not a non-issue. Many Americans do not like their presidents to wear ethnic clothes and strange accessories wherever they go. For President Obama, it's a political issue, too."
In fact, there were many official and unofficial ideas and many trial balloons were launched between the two sides. According to sources in New Delhi some Americans were toying with the sensational idea of having some kind of public show at Wagha border to spread Obama's message of peace in the sub-continent.
However, this could not be confirmed. The idea was rejected before it could be even spelt out. There was also the proposal to visit the Jewish centre Chabad Hosue in Mumbai, which was the epicenter of action during the 26/11 terror attacks. Due to security reasons, even this proposal was not accepted.
A former diplomat and expert on Indo-US relations said, "Thankfully, gimmicks have been rejected by the prime minister's office. After all, US president's visit is too important, too serious and has to be perfectly planned."
He added, " History of the world can change if anything goes wrong."
