India, US Announce Civil Nuclear Deal During Joint Press Conference by Obama, Modi

6.50 PM: In a "breakthrough", India and the US Sunday agreed to move towards "commercial cooperation" as well as "full implementation" of their landmark civil nuclear deal.

The announcement was made by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brightening the prospects of the deal that was inked during the Manmohan Singh regime in 2008 but never implemented.

"The civil nuclear agreement was the centrepiece of our transformed relationship, which demonstrated new trust. It also created new economic opportunities and expanded our option for clean energy," Modi said addressing a joint press conference with Obama here.

"...I am pleased that six years after we signed our bilateral agreement, we are moving towards commercial cooperation, consistent with our law, our international legal obligations, and technical and commercial viability."

Describing it as a "breakthrough understanding", Obama said the two leaders agreed to "advance our civil nuclear cooperation and we are committed to moving toward full implementation".

"It is an important step and shows us how we can work together to elevate our relationship."

5:28pm: We compared how much sleep each one of us is getting and it turns out Modi is getting even less sleep than me, but of course that's because he is still new, after he's been doing this for about six years, he'll be getting an extra hour: Obama

5:27pm: In addition to our strong personal friendship, we are reflecting the warmth & affection between the Indian & American people: Obama

5:23pm: The chemistry between us has not only brought Barack & I closer but has also brought Washington & Delhi closer: Modi

5:22pm: PM Modi on being asked about his conversation with Prez Obama: "Jahan tak baato ka sawal hai parde mein rehne de" 

5:20pm: Looking forward to the R-Day parade which I have heard is truly spectacular. I'm also looking forward to talking to the Indian people over the radio: Obama

5:09pm: In the end, I would like to say, "Chalein saath saath" (Let's walk together): Obama

5:07pm: I thank Prime Minister for his continued efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapon: Obama

5:06pm: I thank India for its strong anti-terrorism concept: Obama

5:05pm: India has improved in terms of climate and the US will help it improve further to combat climate change. We have agreed on working together to promote clean energy & support climate change: Obama

5:02pm: Thank you Mr Modi for hosting me and the "chai pe charcha". We should do this more often at the White House: Obama.

5:01pm: Obama: Namaste, mera pyaar, mera namaskar (Greetings, my love, my salutations).Thank you Mr Modi for the invitation. I'm the first US President to attend the Republic day celebrations and I'm honoured.

4:58pm: We will also work closely to help Afghanistan through its transition. Your relationship stands at a new level today: Modi

4:57pm: I have asked President Obama to lead in making renewable energy more accessible & affordable to the world: Modi

4:56pm: Terrorism remains a principal global threat, we agreed that we need a comprehensive global strategy to combat it: Modi.

4:54pm: The civil nuclear agreement was the centre-piece of our transformed relationship: Modi.

3:40pm: US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will jointly address a press conference after holding bilateral talks. Watch Live.

3:11pm: Obama and Modi are discussing bilateral issues over tea at Hyderabad House and there are speculations that a nuclear deal between the two nations will get the green signal.

1:15pm: Obama arrived at Hyderabad House for a lunch meeting with Modi, where both will hold bilateral talks. The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement will be the highlight of their talks.

12:55pm: The US President plants a Peepal sapling at Raj Ghat. 

12:45pm:  Obama arrives at Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, lays a wreath at his memorial.

12:21pm: Obama and Modi meet diplomats and senior leaders at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

12:18pm: The US president, accompanied by a woman officer Pooja Thakur, as guard commander, inspected the guard of honour.

12:16pm: Indian and United States National Anthems were played as a part of Obama's welcome ceremony.

12:14pm: Obama receives 21-gun salute as guard of honour. President Pranab Mukherjee welcomes Obama along with Modi and Vice President Hamid Ansari. 

12:11pm: Obama arrives at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in his Presidential state car The Beast, escorted by Indian Mukherjee's horse-mounted guards. 

12:01pm: Union Cabinet Ministers Manohar Parrikar, Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh join Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Obama's ceremonial welcome.

11:55pm: Modi has arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan to welcome Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

11:42am: Delhi is all prepared for the ceremonial welcome of the Obamas at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he will be greeted with a guard of honour.

Modi on Sunday morning received Obama and his wife, who arrived at the New Delhi international airport for their three-day visit to the country.

The US President's flight Air Force One landed at the international airport in Palam at 9:40am on Sunday morning. From the airport, Obama's cavalcade has headed to Maurya Sheraton Hotel, where preparations for his welcome are underway amid high security.

On the first day of his second India visit, Obama will meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who will be holding the ceremonial ceremony for the US President at Rashtrapati Bhavan at around 12pm.

After which Obama will head to Raj Ghat to lay a wreath at memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and plant sapling, according to External Affairs Ministry.

The US president will then meet PM Modi at Hyderabad House to discuss the bilateral issues. Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, economic, regional and global issues, terrorism, and defence are the top agendas of their discussion.

Modi and Obama will jointly address a press conference at around 1:50pm after holding talks and his first day will conclude with banquet, hosted by Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

On Monday (26 January), the US President will be attending the celebrations of Republic Day as Chief Guest. He will also address a CEO Summit in the afternoon after which he will head to Maurya Hotel for a CEO roundtable. Later, he will also have a private dinner with Modi.

According to the earlier schedule, Obama and his wife Michelle had plans to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on the evening of the third day of their visit, which has now been reportedly cancelled.

After a speech at New Delhi's Siri Fort on Tuesday afternoon, they will head to Saudi Arabia to condole the death of King Abdullah.

(With inputs from IANS and ANI tweets)