Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will touch down Sunday noon in New Delhi, a city that has put on its finest armour for the former first lady - with nearly 2,000 police and intelligence officials, personnel of the elite National Security Guard (NSG), dog squads, anti-sabotage teams and air surveillance.
After flying into New Delhi from Mumbai, Clinton is to visit the ITC Greens Building in the satellite town of Gurgaon and talk on climate change. She will later head to the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) where she will showcase a partnership between US and India to improve cereal yields.

She will be visiting Delhi University and meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday.

According to Delhi Police, Clinton has been given the highest-category security and will travel in a bullet-proof vehicle piloted and escorted by security officials. She will also be given air surveillance throughout her visit to the capital.

The Taj Palace Hotel, where she will stay, has screened its guest list and hotel officials.

“Security agencies screened the hotel officials who will be directly or indirectly involved in serving her. The guest list was also screened,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

US intelligence officials have taken over the entire floor where Clinton’s room is located. The location of her room is of course kept secret.

“The hotel area has been sanitised and the floors above and below her room have been vacated,” the official said.

From the Indian side, around 2,000 police and intelligence personnel besides commandos form the security cover for Clinton, who started her India visit in Mumbai Friday night.

The elite National Security Guard (NSG) commandos will be deployed at some locations in the city besides Delhi Police and US intelligence officials.

“A multi-layer security cover will be in place and so far there is no threat whatsoever. All security measures have been taken in consultation with officials of US intelligence agencies,” a Delhi Police source said.

But the details of the security preparations have been kept confidential. Even Clinton’s menu at the Taj Hotel is a secret.

Security agencies have also placed bomb disposal squads, dog squads and anti-sabotage teams in and around the hotel premises.

Clinton last visited the Indian capital in 2000 when she accompanied her husband, then president Bill Clinton, and they stayed at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel.