US President Donald Trump is in India for a state visit, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two-day trip will also include a tour of the Taj Mahal and a state dinner in New Delhi. PM Modi received Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump and others at the Ahmedabad airport on Monday and then visited the Sabarmati Ashram.
After reaching India, The two leaders met and addressed a mega event at the Motera Stadium where over 1000,00 people were gathered for the ‘Namaste Trump’ cultural extravaganza.
Modi gave a stirring address at the beginning of the rally, and was followed by Trump, who sang both his praises and of the India-US relationship. Since coming back on stage, Modi has been listing various legislative and other achievements under his leadership.
US President Donald Trump finished speaking at Motera Stadium. “Thank you India for this phenomenal welcome,” Trump said.
“God bless India, God bless the United States of America. We love you India, we love you very much!” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanks Trump “for the kind words you used about me.” “President Trump has not only honored us but also Indians living in the United States”, he said.
“The initiatives we have taken to strengthen India-US relations will now, with this visit, enter their next stage,” Modi said.
Trump and his team later leave for Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Thereon Trump will be flying to Agra in the evening where CM Yogi Adityanath will be welcoming the US delegation.
This is Trump’s first visit to India as President and large crowds are expected to turn out to greet him, as he lands in Modi’s heartland of Ahmedabad. The last US President to visit India was Barack Obama. While he’s a big fan of Modi, relations between New Delhi and Washington are not at their highest at the moment. Trump has promised a major trade deal at some point, but it’s unlikely to be agreed during this trip, though smaller initiatives may be announced.
US President Donald Trump has criticized New Delhi over trade policies and said he is working for a better deal in the future.Such a deal is not widely expected during this trip, but Trump referenced that he and Modi will be discussing trade ties.
“I think that the Prime Minister and I can reach a fantastic deal that is good and even great for our two countries,” he said, before adding with a chuckle, “except he’s a very tough negotiator.”
“(Under my administration) commerce between our two nations has increased by more than 40%,” Trump added. “India is the United States largest export market … A booming America is a great thing for India and the world, which is why we are pleased to announce that we have had the greatest economy ever in the history of the United States.”
US President Donald Trump in his speech at
Motera Stadium, said, “The United States and India are also firmly united in our iron clad resolve to defend our citizens from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism,” he said. “Both of our countries have been hurt by the pain and turmoil of terrorism and that terrorism brings.”
He added that the ISIS caliphate has been “utterly destroyed” and the “monster” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group’s late leader, killed by a US attack, is dead.
Trump hailed his strong border controls. “Every nation has the right to control and secure its borders,” he said. “The United States and India are committed to working together to stop terrorists and fight their ideology.”
“My administration is working in a very positive way with Pakistan to crack down on the terrorists and militant groups that operate on the Pakistan border,” he said. “We are beginning to see signs of big progress.”
Trump also hailed “great female entrepreneurs” in India, telling the country’s men to “watch out.”
Here is the official schedule of US President Donald Trump’s engagements in India as issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Monday, February 24
11:40 hrs—President Donald Trump to arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport, Ahmedabad;
12:15 hrs—Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad)
01:05 hrs—Namaste Trump Event at Motera Stadium
15:30 hrs—Emplane for Agra;
16:45 hrs—Arrival at Agra;
17:15 hrs—Visit to Taj Mahal;
18:45 hrs—Emplane for Delhi;
19:30 hrs—Arrival at Delhi.
Tuesday, February 25
10:00 hrs—Ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan;
10:30 hrs—Wreath laying at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat;
11:00 hrs—Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House;
12:40 hrs—Exchange of Agreements/Press Statement at Hyderabad House;
19:30 hrs—Meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan;
22:00 hrs—Departure.
