NEW DELHI: After rejecting the United States’ request for a no-fly zone over Rajpath on Republic Day, for which US President Barack Obama will be the chief guest, India has given in to the American demand, according to television reports.

The Indian government, which had earlier stated that it is a tradition on Republic Day to have a fly past and thus could not declare it a no fly zone on January 26, has also confirmed the report.

Rajpath, incidentally, has a no fly zone for commercial flights at all times.

However, following the US security detail’s claims that the aircraft in the fly past could be used as weapons, Indian authorities decided to agree with the American request.

The United States wants India to lock down central Delhi when President Barack Obama visits the Indian capital to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

The US advance security team has advised that the entire central Delhi be closed during the Obama visit.

Not only will major roads be blocked, the Delhi Police will also deploy snipers on rooftops along the route that the US President’s motorcade takes.

The entire Raisina Hill area will be closed from January 23 itself. The government is also expecting a far bigger crowd this time, given the presence of the US President and Prime Minister Modi, apart from other dignitaries.

The US Secret Service has also asked the Indian security agencies to sanitise all government buildings by January 24 and close down areas of central Delhi.

Agencies reported that about 1,600 American security personnel, including US Secret Service and CIA officials, will be in India for the US President’s visit.

Obama will spend almost two hours in the open at the Republic Day parade along Rajpath along with the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Barack and Michelle Obama will be visiting India from January 25 to January 27.