Will President Pranab Mukherjee ride with US President Barack Obama on Republic Day?

Security agencies in India and the US are in a tizzy over which country will step back and compromise on protocol on January 26.

The problem is this: As the Republic Day chief guest, protocol demands that Obama travel with the President in his car for the Republic Day parade.

But the US Secret service insists that Obama's security will be compromised if he ditches his official car -- a bulletproof behemoth -- known as the Beast (Read this).

Obama is scheduled to receive the guard of honour from the Indian Armed forces at Rajpath.

US security officials working with President Pranab's office have offered a compromise. Obama will travel with Pranab Mukherjee from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to Rajpath which is customary, but while returning to the President's estate, Pranab Mukherjee will ride with Obama in the US President's car.

The MEA and the NSA will seek both the Presidents approval for this.