Obama in India joins Modi at Delhi Republic Day parade Published duration 26 January 2015

media caption Barack Obama and Narenda Modi watched a "spectacular" military parade as, Sanjoy Majumder reports

US President Barack Obama has attended India's Republic Day parade in Delhi, the first US head of state to do so.

Mr Obama was chief guest at the annual military parade. He arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit seen as a sign of warming ties between the two countries.

After talks on Sunday, both sides announced a breakthrough on a pact that will allow US companies to supply India with civilian nuclear technology.

Indian PM Narendra Modi said it was a "new journey" of co-operation.

Mr Obama will meet the main opposition Congress party leaders later on Monday and will also speak at a business summit.

Trade vow

Republic Day marks the adoption of India's constitution in 1950, three years after independence from Britain.

Uniformed soldiers in colourful headgear marched down Rajpath, or King's Avenue, where Mr Obama watched the parade with Mr Modi inside a bullet-proof glass enclosure.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the ceremony showcased India's military might with soldiers marching in formation and the latest weapons on display, including several made in America.

image copyright Reuters image caption Mr Obama watched the parade with Mr Modi inside a bullet-proof glass enclosure

image copyright AFP image caption Tanks and missile launchers rolled down the Rajpath in central Delhi

image copyright AFP image caption Paramilitary soldiers on motorbikes performed daredevil stunts

image copyright AFP image caption Huge crowds and thousands of security personnel attended the parade on a cold, wet day

media caption "Warm hugs" have set the tone for the visit, as the BBC's Yogita Limaye reports

Helicopters showered petals on the crowds and brass bands and dancers filed past the guests on a foggy, rainy morning.

"The day is all about patriotism and I'm lucky to be a part of it," Ajith Kumar, a student watching the parade, said. "The fact that we have a guest like Obama has made it all the more special."

The US president received a warm welcome on Sunday when Mr Modi greeted him at the airport with a bear hug.

The two men spent several hours discussing defence and trade ties, and then announced the breakthrough on the civilian nuclear deal.

The pact was agreed in 2008 but has been held up for six years because of differences over the liability US firms would face in India in the event of a nuclear accident.

image copyright AFP image caption The US president came to the venue along with First Lady Michelle

image copyright AFP image caption Rain failed to dampen spirits with thousands turning up to watch the parade

image copyright Reuters image caption Mr Modi's colourful headgear attracted a lot of attention

image copyright AFP image caption Indian dancers also performed at the parade

Now a large insurance pool will be set up, without the need for any further legislation.

The two sides have also pledged to increase their bilateral trade five-fold, from the current $100bn (£66.7bn) a year, and build co-operation on defence projects.