Obamas arrive in Delhi,

U.S. President Barack Obama today arrived here on the second leg of his three-day visit to India and was personally received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who set aside protocol to welcome the guest.

The Air Force One carrying Mr. Obama, his wife Michelle and the official delegation touched down at the Delhi Airport at 3.19 PM and the President and the First Lady waved their hands while getting down from the aircraft.

Dr. Singh’s receiving the Obamas is a special gesture signifying the importance India attaches to the U.S. President’s maiden visit. Mr. Obama said specific announcements on issues like counter-terrorism, regional security and clean energy are likely after talks between the two leaders tomorrow.

Dr. Singh had received Mr. Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush at the airport when he visited India in 2006. The Prime Minister had also gone to the airport to personally receive Saudi Arabia King Abdullah.

Mr. Obama, who arrived in Mumbai yesterday afternoon, paid tributes to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai carnage and said his stay at the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the targets of the Mumbai terror strikes, was intended to send a strong message against terrorism.

Before embarking for Delhi, Mr. Obama and Ms. Michelle celebrated Diwali with children at the Holy Name School in Colaba and then interacted with students at the St. Xavier’s College in a typical U.S. townhall style.

Mumbai has turned into a fortress as security personnel on Friday took up positions with a massive three dimensional security — land, air and water — put in place for U.S. President Barack Obama’s two-day visit starting Saturday.

Nearly 5,000 security personnel, including U.S. security men, Indian intelligence officials and elite commandos have been deployed in south Mumbai alone as all venues on the itinerary of the POTUS (President of the United States) fall in this region, police said.