Obama's visit to India is an attempt to strengthen the country's strategic partnership and build a friendship with Prime Minister Modi, who was previously not welcome in Washington. Obama will be the first US president to attend India's Republic Day parade, a display of military strength once associated with Cold War anti-Americanism. He will also appear on a radio show with Modi. This visit marks a turnaround in the relationship between the two largest democracies, which was strained just a year ago. Obama expressed optimism about India and America becoming true global partners in an interview with India Today. Modi welcomed Obama and his wife, Michelle, at the airport in New Delhi as they arrived on Air Force One. The two leaders embraced warmly instead of following protocol, which usually requires the prime minister to meet foreign leaders at a formal ceremony at the presidential palace. Modi's decision to break from tradition surprised many, including his own staff. As Obama's motorcade traveled to the welcome ceremony at President Pranab Mukherjee's residence, the streets were heavily guarded by armed police and soldiers as part of a well-planned security operation. Reports indicate that up to 40,000 security personnel will be on duty during the visit, with an additional 15,000 closed-circuit surveillance cameras installed in the capital. The two parties have been negotiating agreements on climate change, taxation, and defense cooperation in preparation for the upcoming visit. Discussions on a potential civil nuclear trade deal went down to the last minute with no clear resolution. The United States sees India as a valuable market and potential counterbalance to China in Asia, but is often frustrated by the slow progress of economic reforms and India's reluctance to align with the US on global issues. India is interested in a new approach from the US towards Pakistan, particularly in terms of security, and hopes for a better understanding with the US on regional matters, according to India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Modi, who was elected last May, has brought new life to the economy and foreign relations, much to the satisfaction of Washington. He has also started to counter China's increasing influence in South Asia. The current annual bilateral trade of $100 billion is considered to be far below its potential, and the US hopes it will increase by five times. Due to the passing of King Abdullah, Obama will be leaving India earlier than planned to visit Saudi Arabia instead of going to the Taj Mahal. Both Obama and Modi came from humble beginnings and made their way into the political elite, which is typically dominated by influential families. Their bond was strengthened during a visit to Washington in September when Obama took Modi to the memorial of Martin Luther King, who was inspired by India's Mahatma Gandhi in his fight for civil rights. The relationship between Modi and Obama is noteworthy due to their differing political ideologies, Modi's past controversies, and Obama's close friendship with Modi's predecessor. Despite personal chemistry, tensions between the US and India arose during Obama's presidency, leading to diplomatic issues. According to Ashley Tellis, there is still work to be done to solidify a strong geopolitical relationship between the two countries. Efforts are being made to revisit the 2009 nuclear deal, which did not meet expectations for US companies. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes stated to reporters this week that there is remarkable possibility in this relationship. Rhodes emphasized the goal of transforming this potential into tangible advantages for both populations.