Don't interfere with Obama visit security, India tells US

[ares]

Don't interfere with Obama visit security, India tells US
Dawn.com
Updated about 14 hours ago

US President Barack Obama. - AFP/File
NEW DELHI: Indian officials politely turned down the United States' request regarding the security arrangements for President Barack Obama's visit to India, saying that Indian security is well-equipped and trained to oversee the US president's security, said a report published by The Times of India.

US officials provided a list of security demands to their Indian counterparts, which included deploying only US snipers on rooftops all along the Rajpath Boulevard where a Republic Day Parade will take place and President Obama will attend as chief guest. Indian authorities on Monday declined this request and asked US officials "not to interfere", the report said.

President Obama's visit to India will begin on January 25 and both India and the US engaged in tackling issues related to security measures.

The US officials also requested for a no-fly-zone on the Rajpath which Indian officials also declined as it would have resulted in the cancellation of the parade's customary fly-past by the Indian Air Force.

The Indian officials argued that they will have a number of other VVIP's attending the parade such as Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and various other dignitaries. Hence, Indian officials stationing their own snipers would be imperative, sources told The Times of India.

Take a look at: Obama informs Sharif about Delhi visit

Soon after accepting Indian invitation to Republic Day celebrations this month, President Obama had phoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to inform him about his decision to visit Delhi.

The prime minister on this occasion had reiterated an invitation to President Obama to visit Pakistan.

“The President (Obama) also assured the Prime Minister (Sharif) that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date, as soon as the situation normalises in the country,” a Foriegn Office statement had said without elaborating if the US president was talking about normalisation of the security situation or the political unrest.

 

[Gufi]

US officials provided a list of security demands to their Indian counterparts, which included deploying only US snipers on rooftops all along the Rajpath Boulevard where a Republic Day Parade will take place and President Obama will attend as chief guest. Indian authorities on Monday declined this request and asked US officials "not to interfere", the report said.

This is a good step. The next step would be to stop telling your media about every step of protection being taken and rings of securities etc. These things are supposed to be kept secret I am confused why there have been so many reports on the exact nature of the American President's security.

 

[nair]

The heading says "Dont interfere with Obama Visit Security"

The first line of the article says......

Indian officials politely turned down the United States' request regarding the security arrangements for President Barack Obama's visit to India.

 

[Bang Galore]

This is a good step. The next step would be to stop telling your media about every step of protection being taken and rings of securities etc. These things are supposed to be kept secret I am confused why there have been so many reports on the exact nature of the American President's security.

To intimidate some would be attackers.....No one wants to invest in a failed attack, bad PR for major terrorist groups. Not an exact science but intimidation by saturation of non-classified information plays a part.

 

[ares]

This is a good step. The next step would be to stop telling your media about every step of protection being taken and rings of securities etc. These things are supposed to be kept secret I am confused why there have been so many reports on the exact nature of the American President's security.

Things which are needed to be kept secret, are kept secret.There must be security arrangement of which we know nothing about.

What has been divulged to media(Snipers, anti aircraft batteries, bullet proof enclosures) are SOPs followed in every republic day parade, the only difference, they do not get such an extensive media coverage.

Besides deterrence is one of best preventive tactics against terrorism.
If you portray, you are on alert, chances of an enemy testing your defenses reduces a great deal.

 

[Soumitra]

Our security agencies are more than capable enough to protect obama

 

[$@rJen]

He might be a most powerful guy but not in India. you accepted our request to be a chief guest then we'll give you cover,.. we're not a small african nation where yu can order or demand for only your security personals to take over every corner and putting their security in shame. you want to stay then play by our rules.

 

[war is peace]

Obama should cancel it security is paramount.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Obama should cancel it security is paramount.

What because the Indian side didn't accommodate his security team's every request like lackies security has been compromised? India knows very well how to secure its major events and high officials and Obama will be no different.

 

[Hashshāshīn]

Good step, Americans think they can send their henchmen everywhere and others are not capable.

 

[Dandpatta]

The mindset of the Americans is that all Asian nations are at their behest. We were incapable perhaps - during 26/11 but if they are taking that baggage, they need to learn that Indian security forces have moved on to far better pars of excellence.

 

[Gufi]

To intimidate some would be attackers.....No one wants to invest in a failed attack, bad PR for major terrorist groups. Not an exact science but intimidation by saturation of non-classified information plays a part.

I agree with what you say but defining rings with their radius and where snipers are going to be is going overboard. I think just the fact that there will be thousands of security personnel should be enough. Imagine being the head of Obama's security detail and finding these things easily available.

 

[Ind4Ever]

Oh Lord labak das Obama must know about Asian power and advancement. But sadly we are divided unlike EU .

 

[anyrandom]

What the hell is US thinking by asking for exclusive presence of US snipers only?!
Modi is the Prime minister of India and we cannot trust the secret service to protect him just as they can't trust SPG to protect obama....
It's an arrogant request by the secret service, the ideal way to protect is that both the agencies cooperate together rather than the foreign country taking over and that too in the host country

 

[Dandpatta]

When US Navy visits other ports of calls and if any Navy / Marine personnel are found to be lacking in civic discipline (bar fights, abusing local women, etc), they are carried off to the ships and dealt with (or never) on board. Local police officials have no say nor jurisdiction on detaining US military personnel during ports of calls. (This is just one example of the arrogance of the US )