President Obama's trip to India will cost the U.S. $200m-a-day, it was reported today. The visit - part of a 10-trip to Asia - will take place amid unprecedented levels of security in the city of Mumbai, where terrorists killed at least 173 people two years ago.
Extreme measures to ensure the safety of President Obama will include the complete booking of the 570-room Taj Mahal Hotel for his security entourage.
The building saw some of the fiercest fighting between Islamic militant gunmen and security forces during the November 2008 atrocity.
Other precautions include the use of helicopters, US and Indian Navy ships to patrol the Mumbai waterfront and the use of sophisticated surveillance equipment.
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The operation will cost the U.S. government the astonishing figure, a top Indian government source told the country's NDTV.
The source said: 'The huge amount of around $200 million would be spent on security, stay and other aspects of the Presidential visit.'
The news channel also claimed only senior bodyguards would be allowed to carry weapons for the visit.
The source added: 'The state police is competent to take care of the security measures and they would be piloting the Presidential convoy.'
Details of the three-day visit which begins officially on Saturday are not being confirmed, but Indian Press reported the President was expected to spend the first day visiting the Taj Mahal Hotel and meeting survivors of the attacks.
The second day will reportedly see the President and First Lady meeting Mumbai school children and University students while the final day will involve a trip to New Delhi.
The visit could spark fury in the U.S. where officials are battling to reduce a record budget deficit, and heap further misery on beleaguered Democrats in the mid-term elections.
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