Obama's India trip most likely will not cost the reported $200 million a day. Image: Flickr / mountaineerpics / CC-BY
Starting this weekend, President Obama is set to take a four-day trip to India. The Obama India trip is mostly for relationship building, and while no huge changes in the relationship are expected, it has been highly anticipated. Some, though, are questioning whether this trip is really worth the reported $200 million a day cost.
Obama India trip cost may be over-reported
One Indian news outlet reported the cost of the Obama India trip at $200 million per day. Though the White House declines to state exactly what the cost of the trip is, it is likely far below the $200 million per day estimate. White House spokesman Tommy Vietor addressed this India trip cost rumor:
“Due to security concerns, we are unable to outline details associated with security procedures and costs, but it’s safe to say these numbers are wildly inflated.”
Obama India trip for relationship building
Obama’s four-day trip to India is mostly to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries. India trades about $40 billion per year with the United States, and the countries also have a civil nuclear cooperation agreement. India’s foreign minister, Nirupama Rao, addressed Obama’s India trip by saying “We are not at a stage in our relationship perhaps for another big bang, but certainly there will be positive outcomes.”
Why presidential travel has a high cost
The Obama India trip will definitely cost several million dollars a day. Whenever presidents travel, they take along a large portion of the White House with them. This is not only to ensure that they continue working while away from the office but to address any major issues that come up during the trip. Most of the cost of any trip is actually for security for the President, and on trips such as this, media organizations pay their own way – with a no fax payday loan if necessary. In short, the Obama India trip isn’t going to cost U.S. taxpayers any more or less than a usual international trip for the president.
IS THIS ANY INDICATION THAT OBAMA IS CONTINUING ON HIS "MERRY WAY" JUST AS BEFORE THE ELECTION. HE SURELY MARCHES TO THE TUNE OF A "DIFFERENT DRUMMER !!"
$200 million a day or not,,,,, why doesn't mr obama walks the walk he talks,,,, example ceo cannot use private planes but he can use 40 for 4days… oh wait ceo earn their money mr obama just wastes ours big difference
No NANCY, stop playing that game. Stop believing rumors. Seriously, hasn't any crackpot tea-bagger who's been brainwashed by the right ever stop to think "Wait a second. $200mil a DAY? 1/10th of the Navy? Really? I want to check the source…".
Sources?! Who needs them! Okay, fine, if one rumor's debunked, so what, right? Well that's PART of marketing. It won't sink in for everyone so it still does its political damage and that's the point. Like people lapping up email forward chain-letters, these trailer-park tea-baggers are just sheep living in la-la land. Wake up! Don't let your emotions be your guide! Don't let what you WANT to be true be true… and keep yourself from WANTING a 'fight' to give your life purpose.
Are you sure they weren't talking in Rupies? I mean, 200 million INR is still about 4.6 mil US – not exactly chump change…but more believable????
200m.does’nt sound great. he(obama) is most powerfull man in d world and 200m. is’nt wasting it is utilising by person or group of person of indian country
if someone really wanna save that much money
obama can have conversation on (live) confrence