Washington: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
who begins his four-day US visit on Sunday, would not stay at
the historic Blair House, the designated guest house of the US
President where all his state guests are traditionally known
to have stayed.
Instead, Singh would be staying at the Willard
Intercontinental Hotel, located three blocks away from
the White House.
The decision has been taken at the request of India,
those familiar with the move said.
Such a decision was primarily taken keeping in view
the inconveniences officials and other dignitaries calling on
the Prime Minister might face, due to the strict security
regulations at the Blair House.
Informed sources said nothing should be read out
into this decision.
The Prime Minister, who is set to meet President Barack
Obama on November 24, had stayed at the Blair House in
2005 when he was the State Guest of the then US President,
George W Bush.
Singh's US trip is the first state visit of the Obama
Administration.
The Guest Book of the Blair House has the signature
of the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,
and his daughter Indira Gandhi. The signature is dated
December 19, 1956.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 13:33