United States Presidents who visited India before Donald Trump

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: February 24, 2020 09:40 AM2020-02-24T09:40:19+5:302020-02-24T09:45:27+5:30

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Dwight D. Eisenhower​, 1959 - President Eisenhower was the first U.S. President to visit India. The purpose of his visit was to symbolise common quest for peace and explore disarmament requirements. Mr. Eisenhower delivered a public speech at Ramlila grounds and addressed both Houses of Parliament. He later visited the Taj Mahal and also stopped over at a village called Larmda.

Richard Nixon​, 1969 - In the shortest-ever visit to India by a U.S. President, Richard Nixon stayed in India for barely 23 hours. The purpose of the visit was to promote peace. It was part of a multi-nation Asian tour. ​

Jimmy Carter​, 1978 - Jimmy Carter addressed Parliament, in which he touched upon development through democracy and the growth of the Indian economy. Mr. Carter and the First Lady also visited a village called Daulatpur Naseerabad in Haryana. The visit resulted in the village changing its name to Carterpuri.​

Bill Clinton​, 2000 - Bill Clinton's visit was the first by a U.S. President in over 20 years. The schedule included five cities of New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Mumbai. It signalled a shift towards a new strategic orientation, with focus on India. Mr. Clinton issued a joint 'vision' statement with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, in which the two leaders reiterated that closer cooperation between the two countries was important.

George W. Bush​, 2006 - President George W. Bush visited India during his second term in office. The highlight of the visit was the conclusion of a landmark civilian nuclear agreement with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr. Bush also addressed a select gathering at Purana Qila.

Barack Obama, 2010, 2015- ​Mr. Obama's first visit in his first term was one of strategic importance and came within a year of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. Mr. Obama landed in Mumbai and later addressed a gathering in which he spoke against the terror attack. In a historic address to Parliament, Mr. Obama touched upon vital issues in India-U.S. ties. In his second visit, Mr. Obama was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Obama held one-on-one talks and the highlight of the trip was a breakthrough in the civil nuclear deal between India and the U.S., which had been in limbo for several years.