The Hindu Business Line : Manmohan not to stay at Blair House

WASHINGTON: The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who begins his four-day US visit on Sunday, would not stay at the historic Blair House, the designated guest house of the US President where all his state guests are traditionally known to have stayed.

Instead, Dr Singh would be staying at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, located three blocks away from the White House.

The decision has been taken at the request of India, those familiar with the move said.

Such a decision was primarily taken keeping in view the inconveniences officials and other dignitaries calling on the Prime Minister might face, due to the strict security regulations at the Blair House.

Informed sources said nothing should be read out into this decision.

The Prime Minister, who is set to meet the President, Mr Barack Obama, on November 24, had stayed at the Blair House in 2005 when he was the State Guest of the then US President, Mr George W. Bush.

Dr Singh’s US trip is the first state visit of the Obama Administration.

The Guest Book of the Blair House has the signature of the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and his daughter Indira Gandhi. The signature is dated December 19, 1956. — PTI

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