Barack Obama's Delhi visit: what to watch out for

Will issues such as Indo-US nuclear deal, terror and clean energy be addressed? Who will engage Michelle Obama

• A ceremonial welcome after he arrives will be followed by lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Race Course Road. What will the conversation be? Given that India does not have a First Lady, who will engage Michelle Obama?
• Modi and Obama will have a meeting at Hyderabad House where they and aides will discuss bilateral matters and sign agreements, if any. Later, they will jointly address the media and maybe take a limited number of questions. Will the joint statement have a reference to the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement? What will the US say about Pakistan? Will it take credit for closing down Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa? Will there be any agreement on clean energy, or transfer pricing?
• In the evening, President Pranab Mukherjee will host a banquet. It is traditional to read out a short speech. Another speech to watch out for.
• The next day is Republic Day to be followed by the US India business leaders meeting at which the Indian Prime Minister will be present along with the US President. Given the number of gripes US investors have, from taxation issues to the slowness of the Indian legal system and problems of red tape, this could well be the most interesting meeting of all. Sadly it will not be open to the public. But industry leaders are bound to have something to say when they emerge from it.
• On the final day of his visit, Obama is scheduled to address a townhall meeting at Delhi’s Siri Fort auditorium. Questions might be permitted. What he says will define the note he wants his visit to strike.