White House: Obama to Visit India in January

U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to India in January for its Republic Day celebrations, and talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House said Friday.

"The president will meet with the prime minister and Indian officials to strengthen and expand the U.S.-India strategic partnership," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.

The president's trip follows up on a visit to Washington in September by Modi, courted by the United States as a key partner in its attempt to rebalance U.S. foreign policy toward Asia.

The White House said Obama would be the first U.S. president to attend India's Republic Day celebration, which commemorates the adoption of India's constitution.