US President Donald Trump will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Houston’s mega “Howdy, Modi!” event on September 22, the White House said on Sunday.
President Trump will travel to Houston, Texas and Wapakoneta in Ohio to underscore important partnerships between the United States, India and Australia, the White House in a statement said.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said, “It (Modi-Trump joint rally) will be a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship.”
United States House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the Second highest Democrat and Representative of Maryland, will also address “Howdy, Modi!” event. A delegation of Governors, Members of Congress, Mayors and other public officials are expected to be present at the event.
Following the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “delighted that US President Donald Trump will join him at the community programme in Houston”.
A special gesture by @POTUS, signifying the special friendship between India and USA!
Delighted that President @realDonaldTrump will join the community programme in Houston on the 22nd.
Looking forward to joining the Indian origin community in welcoming him at the programme.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2019
PM Modi said the “special gesture” of President Donald Trump to join the mega event in Houston highlights the strength of the relationship and recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy”.
The special gesture of President @realDonaldTrump to join us in Houston highlights the strength of the relationship and recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy. #HowdyModi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2019
This would also be the first time that an American president would be addressing thousands of Indian-Americans at one place in the US.
More than 50,000 Indian-Americans from across the US have registered for the September 22 mega “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures” event to be held at the sprawling NRG Stadium in Houston.
White House officials told PTI that a request was made by Prime Minister Modi to President Trump when the two met in France last month on the sidelines of the G-7 summit.
While India is not part of the G-7 countries, Modi was invited as a special guest by French President Emanuel Macron for the summit.
Trump, who enjoys great chemistry and friendship with Modi, “immediately accepted” the invitation to join him in Houston and directed his officials and secret service, officials said.
This would be the third meeting between the two leaders this year, the previous two being in Japan in June on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and the other one in August in France.