Agencies/New Delhi

US President Barack Obama has cut short his visit to India, cancelling a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, to “pay respects” to new King Salman in Saudi Arabia, the White House said yesterday.
Obama was scheduled to go to India’s famed monument to love accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama at the end of a three-day visit to the country, during which he is to be chief guest at tomorrow’s Republic Day celebrations.
Instead, the White House said Obama would travel to Riyadh from New Delhi on Tuesday morning to meet the new monarch after the death of King Abdullah on Friday.
“The president regrets that he will be unable to visit Agra during this trip,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest in a statement, referring to the town where the Taj Mahal is located.
Earlier yesterday, Indian officials told reporters that US security teams stationed in Agra had told them about the change in Obama’s schedule.
The Obamas had intended to visit the Taj on a trip to India back in 2010 as well. But owing to their packed schedule, they instead visited the medieval Humayun’s tomb in Delhi, on which the architecture of the Taj is said to be based.
The cancellation of the Taj Mahal visit will deprive the country’s top tourist attraction of publicity at a time when the government is trying to boost visitor numbers.
Twitter users rushed to thank the president for orchestrating a clean-up of the mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved empress who died during childbirth in 1631.
“It was just Obama’s clever plan to get Agra cleaned up. Thank you Obama,” posted one under the name Anamika.
Obama has a packed schedule right from the moment the presidential plane, Air Force One, lands in New Delhi.
The president has seven engagements today, including talks with Modi.
The Air Force One would touch down at the Air Force Station, Palam, at 10am.
The presidential entourage would then drive down to the ITC Maurya, where the US first couple would be staying.
The super luxury hotel has been made out of bounds for other guests until the duration of the visit and a stringent security blanket thrown around the hotel and its surrounding areas.
The presidential car, The Beast, has also arrived in the capital.
A Cadillac limousine, The Beast’s armour plating is said to be 8 inches thick and its doors weigh as much as those on a Boeing 757 aircraft. It has 5 inch thick bulletproof windows with at least five layers to foil any effort by subversives.
The Beast’s trunk is reported to contain everything from firefighting equipment and oxygen tanks to a cache of the president’s blood type.
Power Minister Piyush Goyal as minister-in-waiting for the visit would receive Obama at the airport as well as escort and assist him through the visit.
It is not yet known if Modi would go to the airport to receive the Obamas.
At noon, the US president will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, during which Modi will be present.
At 12.30pm, Obama will go to the Raj Ghat to lay a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. He will also plant a sapling at the venue.
At 1pm, Obama will attend a luncheon meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House.
At 2.15pm, the two sides are to hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House and at 3.05pm, the two leaders will address the media at the Ballroom of the venue.
At 7.30pm, Obama will call on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan and attend the banquet hosted by him at 8pm.
The banquet will see some special cuisine dished up for the US president and formal speeches by the two presidents.
In between the Hyderabad House talks and his visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Obama is to head back to the hotel and meet the staff of the US mission here.
Tomorrow, Obama will proceed to Rajpath to attend the Republic Day parade. He is the first US president to be chief guest at the Republic Day pageantry during which India’s military might and cultural diversity are showcased in a two-hour open air event.
It is not known if Obama will drive to Rajpath in Mukherjee’s black limousine or in The Beast. The US Secret Service is believed to be unwilling to allow Obama to travel in any vehicle other than The Beast.
At 3.49pm, Obama will attend the traditional “At Home” reception hosted by Mukherjee on the expansive lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The event will be attended by senior politicians, diplomats, envoys and intellectuals.
At 5.30pm Obama and Modi are to address the India-US CEO Forum Meeting at the Shahjehan Hall of Hotel Taj Palace.
At 6.40pm, the two leaders are to attend the India-US Business Summit at the Durbar Hall of Taj Palace.
There have been reports that the Obamas are keen to eat at the Bukhara restaurant.
Obama had stayed at the Maurya during his previous trip in 2010 and had relished an Indian style dinner.
On January 27, Obama will address an invited gathering at the Siri Fort auditorium at 10.30am on the subject “India and America: The future we can build together.”
At 1.50pm, the US president and his entourage will take off for Riyadh.