Trumps to be accorded traditional welcome

New Delhi, February 23

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are likely to be accorded a traditional welcome complete with the traditional ‘teeka’, garlands and stole at the ITC Maurya here on Monday night, sources said.

The five-star hotel, symbolised by the distinctive logo of hands folded in the traditional ‘Namaste’, will showcase its branding and the fact that “Namaste Trump” has been trending all over.

The entire hotel will resonate with the theme of “Namaste”.

According to the sources, the President of the United States (POTUS) and First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) will be welcomed with traditional ‘teeka’, ‘thali’ laden with flowers and stoles after they arrive at the hotel on Monday.

They said women dressed in traditional attire will greet the Trumps.

A similar traditional Indian welcome was accorded to former US president Barack Obama when he came to India twice, once during 2010 and the second time in 2015, as the chief guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations.

The Trumps will be staying in the Grand Presidential Suite, known as ‘Chanakya’. The suite has hosted several heads of states, including former US presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush.

The premium hotel, however, remained tight-lipped about the special arrangements made to welcome the Trumps.

A multi-tier security arrangement comprising the Delhi Police, US Secret Service and other agencies is in place in the Capital.

At the five-star property, a three-layer security will be in place.

The hotel in Chanakyapuri will have police personnel in plain clothes patrolling every floor. PTI