President Obama, Michelle arrive in India

MUMBAI - US President Barack Obama arrived here Saturday at the start of a four-day India visit that will later take him to New Delhi.

The US Air Force One carrying the president and his wife Michelle landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport just before 1 p.m.

Obama was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and federal Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, the minister-in-waiting for the US president.

The chief minister and Obama warmly shook hands. Chavan then handed him a bouquet — and a gift.

This is Obama’s first visit to India — and the first halt in a four-nation Asian tour. It will also be his longest visit to any country since he assumed the presidency two years ago.

Apart from Michelle, Obama is accompanied by top officials.

Obama, who will spend Saturday night in Mumbai, will stay at the seaside Taj hotel, the most prominent landmark attacked by Pakistani gunmen in 2008 in a ghastly terror attack that left 166 Indians and foreigners dead.

The president will also visit St Xavier’s college, where he will interact with select students, and Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during the independence movement and which is now a museum.

Obama will reach New Delhi Sunday for two days of hectic engagements, including talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He will address members of the Indian parliament.

More than 200 US business leaders are also making the trip to India. Obama leaves for Indonesia Tuesday.