Borders well protected ahead of Obama's visit, says Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has assured that the country's borders were well protected ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit.

Parrikar stressed that extra precautions were being taken ahead of the high profile visit, adding that internal arrangements, though confidential, were in place.

"The internal arrangements being made are number one, highly confidential, obviously because of the security itself and number two, it is not a lookout of the ministry of defence; these two things I'm very clear of. As far as defence is concerned, the borders are well protected, well guarded," Parrikar told reporters where he felicitated cadets of National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Obama was invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be the first U.S. president to attend Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. Obama, who visited India in 2010, would also be the first U.S. president to have visited the country twice while in office.

The US President along with his family is expected to visit the historic Taj Mahal in Agra.

Inspector General (IG) of police, Lucknow, A. Sateesh Ganesh, said that his team was in touch with officials in Agra regarding security arrangements.

"The IB (Intelligence Bureau) has shared a report regarding the overall threat perception during Barack Obama's visit with all states. The intelligence department of U.P. (Uttar Pradesh) has been entrusted with the job that their senior officials will be camping in Agra and whatever actionable input we receive we will work upon and share it in due course," Ganesh said.

He added that ten Superintendents of Police (SPs), 13 Additional SPs, 24 Deputy SPs, paramilitary forces, ambulance and fire services would be stationed in Agra well ahead of Obama's visit.

India's relations with Washington have flourished in the past decade, although they have also had tussles over trade and other issues. The two countries are developing a strategic partnership prompted by shared concerns about China's increasingly assertive territorial claims in the Asia-Pacific region.

India traditionally invites a head of state to participate as chief guest for Republic Day celebrations, which culminates in a military parade.