US President Donald Trump arrived at Howdy, Modi event and was received by India Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to which PM Modi quipped that President Trump is a very special person. Well, that is how Modi welcomed Trump at the NRG Stadium in Houston amid the cheering of more than 50, 000 Indian Americans.
“It is my honour and privilege to welcome President Trump at this magnificent gathering. Every time I meet Trump, I see his friendliness and warmth,” said Modi.
In reply, US President Donald Trump, sharing the stage with the Indian PM, announced, “India has never invested in the US like it is doing today and it is reciprocal, we are doing the same in India. PM Modi, I look forward to working with you to make our nations more prosperous than ever before. You have never had a better friend in the White House than President Donald Trump”.
It is worth mentioning that India and the US have not been on the best of business terms given the trade tension between the two nations over tariffs, which is expected to be one of the key points of the discussions once the two leaders sit down for deliberations.
America had, in June ended the preferential trade status for India that allowed imports to the tune of $5.6 billion to enter the US duty-free to which India retaliated with tariff hikes on 28 American products that reportedly cost the US around $220 million.
Interestingly, referring to his own election slogan of 2014, Modi, in a way, appealed the Indian Diaspora, Abki baar Trump sarkar (This time elect Trump as the POTUS). It certainly sounded like a strong pitch for Donald Trump to be the Presidential candidate who the Indian-Americans ought to vote for.
In words of Modi, “I admire President Trump for his sense of leadership, passion for America and concern for every American.”
To which Trump replied that the world is witnessing a strong India under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Trump even went on to say that Modi is America’s greatest, most loyal friend who is doing an exceptional job for India as her prime minister.
And then both the leaders agreed that border security is a major concern for both America and India. “Border security is vital to both US and India,” said Trump.