Prime Minister Modi on cloud nine – Barack Obama to be Chief Guest at 66th Republic Day celebrations

No matter what critics may say, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is changing a lot of perceptions. He is right now on cloud nine by adding yet another feather in his cap. His latest strategy can be termed as a diplomatic coup of sorts because President Obama has accepted Modi’s invitation to be chief guest at the 66th Republic Day celebrations next year.
It may be recalled that both these leaders had met on the sidelines of G20 summit in Brisbane on Nov 14 and Obama had anointed Modi with the title of a "man of action."
In this way, President Obama would be the first US President to be the Guest of Honor. The initiative had, reportedly, been taken by the Prime Minister himself.
Observers see this acceptance of Modi’s invitation as an effort by the United States to forge new global partnership with India and t is expected that this could set in motion a new chapter in the Indo-US relationship.
For the record, President Obama had visited India in 2010 – he had been invited by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and had also addressed a joint session of Parliament. And, recently, the President had hosted a private dinner for Prime Minister Modi at the White House when he visited the US in September.
Another good news for the Prime Minister and for India is that he is among 50 global leaders, business chiefs and pop icons who are vying for the prestigious ‘Person of the Year’ conferred every year by Time magazine.
Regarding being a man of action – it is understood that Modi works even on Sundays and he would like to see that his minsters follow in his footsteps. In case the ministers wanted leave, they should take permission from Venkaiah Naidu, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. Obviously, Prime Minister Modi wants his team to be disciplined.