President Obama will skip his vist to the Taj Mahal and the ancient city Indian of Agra in order to travel to Saudi Arabia early next week. This will be the second time President Obama has visited India without visiting the Taj Mahal. The Wold Heritage Site was not on the President’s schedule when he first visited India in 2010.

Obama made the decision Saturday morning in order that he may keep his scheduled meetings in New Delhi, but still be able to pay tribute to the recently deceased King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away on Thursday. King Abdulaziz had a recent history of deteriorating health and was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago. His 79-year-old half brother, Salman, had taken on the responsibilities of state due to the king’s health and has been confirmed as the new King of Saudi Arabia.

King Abdulaziz was a respected ally of the U.S. government. He has been credited with helping to stem the flow of Iranian influence in the Middle East, and was an important client of U.S. military hardware suppliers. The new king of Saudi Arabia promises to continue to follow all of his country’s current foreign policies and arrangements.

President Obama will join British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande, the U.K.’s Prince Charles, and King Felipe VI of Spain in paying tribute to King Abdulaziz.

When news of King Abdulaziz’s passing was originally reported it was decided that Vice President Joe Biden would lead a delegation of American officials to pay their respects, allowing the President to keep his engagements in India. These plans were altered when officials realized that Vice President Biden would reach Riyahd, Saudi Arabia at roughly the same time as President Obama.

The President’s decision to skip the Taj Mahal leaves Indian officials and citizens in the city of Agra understandably disappointed. In anticipation of President Obama’s visit, an enormous city improvement effort was made. Over two tons of litter had been removed from the nearby Yamuna river, while all construction had been postponed to keep dust from discoloring the famous white walls of the Taj Mahal or dirtying the city’s streets.

Indian officials moved quickly to release the announcement of President Obama’s reasons for suddenly deciding to skip the Taj Mahal. They wanted to reassure Indian citizens and the rest of the world that the decision was reached out of respect for Saudi Arabia and its King, and not due to the rumors of questionable security or bad weather.

The President will keep his appointment in New Delhi where he plans to deliver a speech as well as meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also be the guest of honor during Republic Day, the day Indians celebrate the 1950 passing of the Constitution of India.

President Obama, despite skipping his visit to the Taj Mahal, becomes the first American President to visit India twice while in office, which highlights India’s growing economic and political influence on the world stage.