Obama’s Day One India engagements dominated by business

MUMBAI - As many as three out of six engagements on Day One of US President Barack Obama’s four-day India visit, which began here Thursday afternoon, are business-oriented, underscoring the importance his administration attaches to bilateral economic ties.

The president, whose Air Force One touched down at 12:50 p.m. at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here, ferrying among others, First Lady Michelle, is scheduled to start his business engagements later in the day, all at Trident Nariman Point Hotel.

These engagements are:

- Meeting with entrepreneurs at 4:25 p.m.

- Meeting with chief executives at 5:10 p.m.

- Speech at summit organised by the United States-India Business Council at 6:10 p.m.

His other engagements include a view of the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel at 2:05 p.m., remarks to commemorate 26/11 Mumbai attacks at 2:30 p.m. and a visit to Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum at 3:20 p.m.

Ahead of his visit, Obama has said in an article in the New York Times that the US will explore ways to reduce barriers to its exports and increase access to the Indian market to find new customers in new markets for American goods.

“During my visit to India, I will be joined by hundreds of American business leaders and Indian counterparts to announce concrete progress toward our export goal — billions of dollars in contracts that will support tens of thousands of American jobs,” he said.

“We will also explore ways to reduce barriers to United States exports and increase access to the Indian market.”