US President Barack Obama hugs India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi January 25, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW DELHI - US President Barack Obama on Sunday arrived in India for a three-day visit of this country.

The US President landed at the airport in the national capital around 10 am (local time) and was received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Local TV channels showed footage of Modi greeting President Obama with a hug and the two leaders shaking hands, before the US President and his wife left for their hotel.

The visiting US President will attend India's Republic Day celebrations Monday, who is to be the first US leader as the chief guest at the event in the last 65 years.

Sources said that India is hopeful of a breakthrough in talks on a stalled nuclear deal during Modi and President Obama's bilateral meeting.

President Obama has cancelled his plans to visit the iconic Taj Mahal on Tuesday, some 250 kms from the national capital, to fly to Saudi Arabia, following the death of King Abdullah.