President Obama cancels Agra visit to lead US delegation in Saudi Arabia

The White House issued a statement explaining his change of plans.

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“The Vice President was originally to have led a delegation to Saudi Arabia on the President’s behalf. As the President’s and Vice President’s travel schedules became clearer, we adjusted the schedule in coordination with the Indian Government so that the President would be able to depart India following his speech on Tuesday to stop in Riyadh during the return trip to meet with King Salman and other Saudi officials and offer his condolences on behalf of the American people,” read the statement.

The statement further says that Obama President “regrets that he will be unable to visit Agra during this trip”.

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Obama was scheduled to visit Agra with his wife Michelle on January 27. They were to visit the Taj Mahal and spend an hour before leaving for Washington DC.

Over 6,000 police personnel from the UP police and adjoining districts had been deputed ahead of the President’s visit. The city was slated to see a lockdown 24 hours before Obama’s visit.

Meanwhile Agra divisional commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar said “The Ministry of Home Affairs informed us this morning that Mr Obama will not be visiting Agra. They were very clear that the reasons were not security related. It is possible that he would have some other engagements. We will not withdraw security arrangements till republic day. Further arrangements for January 27 will be subject to a written confirmation”