Obama's visit to India represents an attempt to strengthen the country's strategic partnership and build a friendship with Prime Minister Modi, who was previously unwelcome in Washington. Obama will be the first US president to attend India's Republic Day parade, a demonstration of military strength once associated with Cold War-era anti-Americanism. He will also appear on a radio show with Modi. The invitation to the parade and warm welcome at the airport signal a turnaround in the relationship between the two countries, which was in bad shape just a year ago. In an interview with India Today, Obama expressed hope for India and America to become true global partners. The two leaders embraced each other warmly, deviating from the usual protocol where the prime minister does not personally greet foreign leaders upon their arrival. Instead, they are met at a formal ceremony at the presidential palace. Modi decided to break this tradition himself, surprising even his own staff, as reported by the media. Obama's motorcade then proceeded to the welcome ceremony at President Pranab Mukherjee's residence, with the roads lined with armed police and soldiers in a meticulously planned visit. Reports state that up to 40,000 security personnel will be present during the visit, with 15,000 new closed-circuit surveillance cameras installed in the capital. Both parties have been working to come to agreements on climate change, taxation, and defense cooperation before the visit. Negotiations on civil nuclear trade were intense but ultimately did not produce a clear solution. The US sees India as a valuable market and potential balance to China's influence in Asia, but is often frustrated by India's slow economic reforms and its reluctance to align with US interests globally. India hopes for a new approach from the US towards Pakistan, especially in terms of security, and desires a better understanding from the US on regional issues. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley expressed these sentiments in Davos before Obama's visit. Elected in May, Modi has brought new energy to the economy and foreign relations, and has started to push back against China's expanding influence in South Asia, much to the approval of Washington. There is a belief that the annual bilateral trade of $100 billion between India and the US is far below its potential, and the US hopes to see it increase fivefold. In light of King Abdullah's passing, Obama will leave India early to visit Saudi Arabia instead of making a planned stop at the Taj Mahal. Both Obama and Modi come from humble beginnings and have broken into a political elite dominated by powerful families. Aides say the two leaders connected during a visit to the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington, as King's civil rights movement was inspired by India's Mahatma Gandhi. The unique bond between Modi and Obama is noteworthy due to their differing political ideologies and the past controversies surrounding Modi's leadership. Despite Obama's close relationship with Modi's predecessor, Manmohan Singh, tensions between India and the US have arisen in recent years, particularly over trade issues. According to Ashley Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, there is still work to be done in solidifying a strong geopolitical partnership between the two countries. The 2009 nuclear deal, which initially fell short of expectations for US businesses, is being revisited as officials seek to address challenges posed by Indian liability laws. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes stated to reporters this week that there is great potential in the relationship and the goal is to translate that potential into tangible benefits for both nations.