Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's engagement to formally inaugurate a road in New Delhi named after Eamon de Valera had to be dropped from his itinerary yesterday for logistical reasons.
However, Mr Ahern said he was delighted by the decision to name the road after the former Irish president. It would mark the strong links that existed between de Valera and the first generation of post- independence Indian leaders.
"It is uplifting to know that in the heart of your capital there will be a street bearing the name of a great Irish patriot and leader," he said in a speech at the Nehru museum last night.
Earlier, the Taoiseach, limping heavily after a recurrence of a leg injury suffered while jogging some years ago, met Sonia Gandhi. Ms Gandhi is the leader of the Congress Party and the chair of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance.
The meeting in the home of Ms Gandhi was surrounded by strict security, who even opened sealed cigarette packets.
Nearly 100 heavily-armed guards, who are on heightened alert following a spate of Islamic-inspired terrorist attacks throughout the country, were visible in the compound at the city's diplomatic district.
Today, Mr Ahern meets the Indian president, APJ Abdul Kalam and the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, during which he will discuss trade links, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar) and Iran's decision to resume its nuclear energy programme.
