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But, judging by the smog cloaking the Indian
capital on Thursday as motorcycle stunt men rehearsed for the
Jan. 26 event, the city's notorious air pollution could be a
problem.
The U.S. embassy denied media reports that the outdoor program
for Obama's visit, his second after a trip in 2010, would be
curtailed if the bad air persisted.
The embassy's monitoring station recorded an Air Quality Index
reading of 252 on Thursday, making the city's air "very
unhealthy", according to a scale devised by the Environmental
Protection Agency.
That's enough, the EPA says, to cause "significant aggravation
of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with
cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly," and a "significant
increase in respiratory effects in the general population."
Weather forecasters expect the index reading to be around 200
when Obama visits, in line with recent years, although accurate
predictions will not be available until three or four days
before.
Indian defense and foreign ministry officials say there are no
plans to change the parade, a military-dominated affair which
stretches from the president's palace to India Gate, a memorial
to unknown soldiers.
"We are importing special masks for all," joked one. "We can
give you one too."
Obama's attendance will be a first for a U.S. president at an
event more closely associated with India's non-aligned past and
friendship with the Soviet Union.
In 2010, the event was wreathed in thick fog that obscured the
view for the guest of honor, the then president of South Korea.
(Reporting by Douglas Busvine and Tanya Ashreena)
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