Obama heads for India, White House calls it 'genuine honour'

Washington, Jan 24: As President Barack Obama headed to India the White House called it a "genuine honour" and said he was very interested in injecting a new energy and vitality into the US-India relationship. "The President is very much looking forward to this visit. It is a genuine honour to be invited as the guest for Republic Day" and Obama "is looking forward to see the festivities associated with Republic Day firsthand," his press secretary said Friday. "We've got many colorful descriptions about the parade and other festivities that go along with marking this important day," Josh Earnest said. "The President is looking forward to seeing it firsthand." Obama, who will be the first US president to visit India twice while in office, was also looking forward to a series of serious meetings with political leaders in India, and certainly the one with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he told reporters Friday. Obama, Earnest said, "certainly enjoyed the conversation" that he had with Prime Minster Narendra Modi when the latter visited Washington in September.