Security beefed up ahead of Obama's visit

New Delhi: Security arrangements have been beefed up across the nation ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's three-day visit of India.

President Obama, who is also accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama during his visit, is the chief guest of the Republic Day parade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Obama and other dignitaries from the world's two largest democracies will attend the celebrations on January 26, including a military parade and a display of Indian weaponry.

The police in New Delhi have cordoned off a large area around the presidential palace in preparation for the parade.

A no-fly zone with a radius of 400 kilometres will be implemented during the parade , covering Jaipur and Agra and extending to the border with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, metro services in the national capital will be suspended on January 25. Snipers will be deployed at more than 70 buildings around central Delhi.

On-the-ground security has been visibly increased, with police checking vehicles and travellers' bags on roads, at train stations and at airports.

"All the borders of New Delhi have been sealed. Only labelled vehicles or those authorized to be present at the event will be let through [at Rajpath]. All the buildings in the area will be checked by an anti-terrorism team," said Delhi Police Joint Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena.

During the three-day visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Obama are expected to discuss matters of strategic significance, including defence issues, energy and climate change.

President Obama will be the first U.S. president to attend the Republic Day celebrations.

Obama, who visited India in 2010, will also be the first U.S. president to visit the country twice while in office.