The eagle finally landed, two hours later than expected and amid unprecedented security. US secretary of state Hillary Clinton reached Mumbai at 10.30pm on Friday, kicking off a visit aimed at building on Indo-US ties and possibly signing key defence and nuclear power deals.
The Mumbai airport was secured by both Indian and American security personnel. Not leaving anything to chance after last November’s terror strike, the US government deployed secret service agents around the airport. American officials were seen checking all arriving vehicles.
Chaos, however, prevailed with tight security arrangements and heavy rain causing a huge traffic jam. The road outside the VIP gate at the airport was flooded, causing panic among Indian security officials. An extra team of Central Industrial Security Force was posted there.
A bus full of US media persons accompanying Clinton added to the confusion.
Around half an hour after her arrival, Clinton left the airport for the Taj Mahal hotel in a cavalcade of US secret service, followed by the Indian security motorcade.
The cavalcade took the Bandra-Worli sea link, probably making Clinton the first foreign dignitary to use the city’s latest landmark. On Saturday, Clinton will pay tribute to 166 people, including American nationals, killed during the 26/11 strikes. Among other engagements is a visit to St Xavier’s college. She will then move on to the national capital on Sunday.
