India Prepares for Obama's Upcoming Visit

India is preparing for U.S. President Barack Obama's second official visit to the country, during which he will be the guest of honor at India's Republic Day military parade. But Obama's visit will primarily be a working trip, and teams from both governments are working to hammer out a consensus on a number of key issues ahead of the Jan. 25 event. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hoping to improve his country's bilateral ties with Washington as part of a wider set of foreign policy initiatives. At the same time, Modi will be grappling with political upheaval in India's periphery. These challenges will test New Delhi's ability to alter India's relationships in its immediate neighborhood and with the West. Though India will continue to seek further assistance from the United States, the fundamental constraints that prevent New Delhi from strengthening its ties with Washington or its allies will persist.