Honoured to be in India for Republic Day: Barack Obama

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama on Sunday stated that he was 'honoured' to visit India again, adding that he was looking forward to participate in the Republic Day celebrations.

The official Twitter handle of President Obama's National Security Council (NSC) shared the visiting dignitary's excitement.

"President Obama is honored to be back in #India to celebrate Republic Day and to begin a new chapter in the US-India partnership. Jai Hind!" it tweeted.

"This trip reflects President Obama's commitment to deepen our ties with #India and take our partnership to a new level," it added.

Earlier in the day, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed in New Delhi for their three-day visit of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the Air Force Station at Palam to greet the visiting dignitaries. The three shared pleasantries before President Obama sat in his presidential vehicle 'The Beast' and left for his hotel ITC Maurya.

The others who were present to greet President Obama at the airport included Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal and Indian Ambassador to the US, S Jaishankar, among others.

President Obama has been accompanied by a sizable delegation of top leaders on his trip to India, including Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, among others.

President Obama, who is the chief guest of this year's Republic Day parade, 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.