Obama's Historic Passage to India

The president seeks to strengthen ties.

Alvida! - President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave alvida, or goodbye, as they board Air Force One for a three-day trip to India for Republic Day, after which they will head to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the newly appointed monarch, King Salman. –  Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

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Alvida! - President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave alvida, or goodbye, as they board Air Force One for a three-day trip to India for Republic Day, after which they will head to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the newly appointed monarch, King Salman. –  Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Narendra and Barack Who? - The president and first lady and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave as they arrive at Palam airport in New Delhi. The first lady, who has no official duties on this trip, dazzled the nation's fashion watchers the moment she stepped off of Air Force One in this floral dress and matching coat by Bibhu Mohapatra, a famous Indian-American designer who lives in New York. And rumor has it that the nation's weavers are planning to send the first lady 100 saris they've been working on for months.(Photo: EPA/STR /Landov)

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Narendra and Barack Who? - The president and first lady and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave as they arrive at Palam airport in New Delhi. The first lady, who has no official duties on this trip, dazzled the nation's fashion watchers the moment she stepped off of Air Force One in this floral dress and matching coat by Bibhu Mohapatra, a famous Indian-American designer who lives in New York. And rumor has it that the nation's weavers are planning to send the first lady 100 saris they've been working on for months.(Photo: EPA/STR /Landov)

Diplomatic Baby Steps - Obama, the first U.S. president to visit India twice while in office, hopes to make progress with Modi on climate, defense and trade. "This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship," he said. It also is a test of their new friendship. (Photo: Xinhua/Landov)

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Diplomatic Baby Steps - Obama, the first U.S. president to visit India twice while in office, hopes to make progress with Modi on climate, defense and trade. "This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship," he said. It also is a test of their new friendship. (Photo: Xinhua/Landov)

Tea for Two - After an hour-long meeting, Obama and Modi take a tea break in the gardens of Hyderabad House. (Photo: Jim Bourg/Landov)

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Tea for Two - After an hour-long meeting, Obama and Modi take a tea break in the gardens of Hyderabad House. (Photo: Jim Bourg/Landov)

Pledging Allegiance - Mukherjee and the Obamas stand for the American National Anthem before participating in a receiving line before a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the presidential palace, in New Delhi. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

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Pledging Allegiance - Mukherjee and the Obamas stand for the American National Anthem before participating in a receiving line before a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the presidential palace, in New Delhi. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

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Deep Connections - "Our visit reflects the deepest connections and long friendship between our peoples. One of America’s greatest poets was Walt Whitman, and more than a century ago he wrote a poem — 'Passage to India' — in which he celebrated the technological ingenuity and human spirit that joins our nations," Obama said in remarks delivered at a state dinner held in his honor. "He wrote: 'Seest though not God’s purpose from the first? The earth to be spann’d, connected by network, the people to become brothers and sisters.' Here, in our time, these words have come to pass." The meal, ABC News reports, was an "Indian food lover's dream." (Photo: Bhaskar Mallick/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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Deep Connections - "Our visit reflects the deepest connections and long friendship between our peoples. One of America’s greatest poets was Walt Whitman, and more than a century ago he wrote a poem — 'Passage to India' — in which he celebrated the technological ingenuity and human spirit that joins our nations," Obama said in remarks delivered at a state dinner held in his honor. "He wrote: 'Seest though not God’s purpose from the first? The earth to be spann’d, connected by network, the people to become brothers and sisters.' Here, in our time, these words have come to pass." The meal, ABC News reports, was an "Indian food lover's dream." (Photo: Bhaskar Mallick/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The Entertainers - These dancers performed before the State Dinner held in Obama's honor at the presidential palace. A musical performance included a song titled "Yes, We Can." (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

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The Entertainers - These dancers performed before the State Dinner held in Obama's honor at the presidential palace. A musical performance included a song titled "Yes, We Can." (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

A Tribute With Roses - Obama throws petals as he pays tribute at the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. Raj Ghat, which means "royal steps," includes a complex that features trees planted by various dignitaries who have visited Raj Ghat, including Presidents Eisenhower, Clinton and George W. Bush. Obama will plant a Bodhi tree near the trees planted by Clinton and Bush. (Photo: EPA/STR /Landov)

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A Tribute With Roses - Obama throws petals as he pays tribute at the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. Raj Ghat, which means "royal steps," includes a complex that features trees planted by various dignitaries who have visited Raj Ghat, including Presidents Eisenhower, Clinton and George W. Bush. Obama will plant a Bodhi tree near the trees planted by Clinton and Bush. (Photo: EPA/STR /Landov)

Let It Rain! - The festivities haven't yet begun, but the president is already beaming as he arrives for the parade. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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Let It Rain! - The festivities haven't yet begun, but the president is already beaming as he arrives for the parade. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Another First - Obama and the first lady are greeted by the Indian prime minister as they arrive for Republic Day. The Associated Press reported that it is "an occasion steeped with symbolism and indicative of a new energy in the relationship between the world's two largest democracies." Obama is the first American president to be a guest of honor at the annual parade. He enjoyed a grand display of Indian military hardware, marching bands and elaborately dressed camels, becoming the first American leader to be honored as chief guest at India’s annual Republic Day festivities. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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Another First - Obama and the first lady are greeted by the Indian prime minister as they arrive for Republic Day. The Associated Press reported that it is "an occasion steeped with symbolism and indicative of a new energy in the relationship between the world's two largest democracies." Obama is the first American president to be a guest of honor at the annual parade. He enjoyed a grand display of Indian military hardware, marching bands and elaborately dressed camels, becoming the first American leader to be honored as chief guest at India’s annual Republic Day festivities. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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This Is Not Your Hump Day - Musicians perform atop camels during the Republic Day Parade. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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This Is Not Your Hump Day - Musicians perform atop camels during the Republic Day Parade. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Spin! - Performers spin around atop a float during the Republic Day Parade. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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Spin! - Performers spin around atop a float during the Republic Day Parade. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Let's Build Something Together - After outlining a number of initiatives the U.S. and India will embark on in remarks delivered at the U.S. India Business Summit at the Taj Palace Hotel, Obama said, "Let’s make it easier for Indians and Americans to work together across the board — to buy from one another, to invest in one another, to create with one another — and in so doing, lift the fortunes of all of us. That’s the future I believe in for our countries. And that’s the future I know we can achieve, if we’re willing to work for it together." (Photo: REUTERS /JIM BOURG /LANDOV)

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Let's Build Something Together - After outlining a number of initiatives the U.S. and India will embark on in remarks delivered at the U.S. India Business Summit at the Taj Palace Hotel, Obama said, "Let’s make it easier for Indians and Americans to work together across the board — to buy from one another, to invest in one another, to create with one another — and in so doing, lift the fortunes of all of us. That’s the future I believe in for our countries. And that’s the future I know we can achieve, if we’re willing to work for it together." (Photo: REUTERS /JIM BOURG /LANDOV)

Economic BFs - At the end of his trip to India, the president participated in a town hall-like meeting at the Siri Fort Auditorium in India's capital. In his remarks, Obama said that there is "much untapped potential" in India's economic relationship with the U.S. "India and the United States are not just natural partners — I believe that America can be India's best partner," he said. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Economic BFs - At the end of his trip to India, the president participated in a town hall-like meeting at the Siri Fort Auditorium in India's capital. In his remarks, Obama said that there is "much untapped potential" in India's economic relationship with the U.S. "India and the United States are not just natural partners — I believe that America can be India's best partner," he said. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A Nobel Moment - The president and first lady met with Nobel Peace Prize winner Kallash Satyarthi and his wife, Sumedha, and three children saved from child slavery. Satyarthi told Obama that although there are still more than 5 million child slaves world wide, thanks to his administration, the number is smaller than it once was. Michelle Obama formed a special bond with one of the children, Payal Jangid, 12, whom she embraced during their entire visit, according to the press pool report. (Photo: REUTERS /JIM BOURG /LANDOV)

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A Nobel Moment - The president and first lady met with Nobel Peace Prize winner Kallash Satyarthi and his wife, Sumedha, and three children saved from child slavery. Satyarthi told Obama that although there are still more than 5 million child slaves world wide, thanks to his administration, the number is smaller than it once was. Michelle Obama formed a special bond with one of the children, Payal Jangid, 12, whom she embraced during their entire visit, according to the press pool report. (Photo: REUTERS /JIM BOURG /LANDOV)

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Namaste - The Obamas bow to India as they board Air Force One and head to Saudi Arabia.(Photo: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)

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Namaste - The Obamas bow to India as they board Air Force One and head to Saudi Arabia.(Photo: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)

Marhaban - Saudi Arabia's new King Salman greets the Obamas as they arrive at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The president stopped in Saudi Arabia on his way back to Washington from India to pay his condolences over the death of King Abdullah and to hold bilateral meetings with King Salman. (Photo: REUTERS /JIM BOURG /LANDOV)

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Marhaban - Saudi Arabia's new King Salman greets the Obamas as they arrive at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The president stopped in Saudi Arabia on his way back to Washington from India to pay his condolences over the death of King Abdullah and to hold bilateral meetings with King Salman. (Photo: REUTERS /JIM BOURG /LANDOV)

Receiving Line - The Obamas participate in a delegation receiving line with the new Saudi Arabian King, Salman bin Abdul Aziz. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Receiving Line - The Obamas participate in a delegation receiving line with the new Saudi Arabian King, Salman bin Abdul Aziz. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Getting to Know You - Obama meets with the new Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.They were joined by Secretary of State John Kerry, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and other members of an American delegation in the nation to offer condolences on the death of King Abdullah. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Getting to Know You - Obama meets with the new Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.They were joined by Secretary of State John Kerry, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and other members of an American delegation in the nation to offer condolences on the death of King Abdullah. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama waves to the photographers as he and first lady Michelle Obama arrive on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in Washington, United States. The President and first lady returned from a State Visit to India and a visit to Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images)

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President Barack Obama waves to the photographers as he and first lady Michelle Obama arrive on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in Washington, United States. The President and first lady returned from a State Visit to India and a visit to Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images)