President Obama, until his recent three-day state visit, thought of India as a country, "which peacefully threw off colonialism and established a thriving democracy of over a billion people." Obama’s esteem and respect for India and its leaders was a known fact but more was to follow – in a visit that came to be unofficially known as the ‘Diwali Summit’ – because of its timing during the festive season in India. President Obama struck all the right notes, and the First Lady charmed India with her grace and spontaneity as she danced with children, played hopscotch with them, and shared her time and thoughts with them.

Mr. Obama’s trip to India, which began on several gloomy notes, ended as a big step forward for U.S-India bilateral relations. Just days before the President and First Lady boarded Air Force One, the Democratic Party received a severe electoral defeat, while Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao cautioned against expecting "big bang" outcomes.  But by the time the President departed India, it was a different story. Mr. Obama announced a new dynamism and commitment to bilateral ties between the US and India. He supported his vision of India as an "indispensable partner of the 21^st century" by announcing relaxation of U.S. controls on the export of sensitive technology to India, support for Indian membership in important nonproliferation regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and endorsement of India’s bid for permanent membership in the Security Council. He also reassured Indian leaders of America’s approach toward managing security affairs in South Asia.

India has become an important economic partner for the U.S., and the relationship will certainly grow stronger in days to come. The presidential trip’s afterglow is still warm with success.

The President and First lady arrived in Mumbai on November 6 and flew to Delhi the following day.

SALT presents a photo feature on the highlights of their trip to India.

Day 1 - Mumbai

Day 2 - Mumbai/Delhi

Day 3 - Delhi

Day 3 (cntd.) - State Dinner - Delhi