Obama may skip Bangalore

US President Barack Obama has preferred Mumbai over Bangalore. During his proposed India visit in November, he would come to Mumbai to visit the Taj Mahal hotel, badly damaged during the terror attack of November 26, 2008. He is also expected to hold an interactive meeting with leaders of industry and business.

A senior Maharashtra government official, who did not want to be named, told Business Standard “ We have received intimation about Obama’s visit from the Centre. However, a formal communication is awaited. What we also learnt is that President Obama has selected Mumbai and not Bangalore.” The official said the reason for skipping Bangalore was not known.

The official recalled former US President Bill Clinton had spent a day in Mumbai in the recent past. After the Mumbai terror attack, he said, the Prince and Princess of Spain, the President of Argentina, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South African President Jacob Zuma have visited the Taj Mahal hotel and paid tribute to those killed in the terror attack.

Personnel of US security services have visited the Taj Mahal hotel to check, as it is situated adjacent to the Arabian Sea.