US First lady attends ‘Happiness Curriculum’ at Government school while India and U.S. sign U.S. $ 3 billion defence deal
India and United States (U.S.) have today, i.e., Tuesday, February 25, 2020, signed defence deals worth U.S. $ 3 billion, taking the relationship between the two nations to newer heights.
The deal was signed on the sidelines of President of U.S. – Donald Trump’s 2-day India visit. The deals include procurement of 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters by India at a cost of U.S. $ 2.6 billion and purchase of 6 AH-64E Apache helicopters for U.S. $ 800 million.
In a Joint Media Statement, Trump said, “Earlier today we expanded our defence cooperation with agreements for India to purchase more than US$ 3 Bn of advanced American military equipment, including Apache & MH-60 Romeo Helicopters – finest in the world. These will enhance our joint defence capabilities.”
Talking about the importance of defence ties, the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi said, “Today we discussed every important aspect of US-India partnership, be it defence and security, energy strategic partnership, trade or people to people ties. The strengthening in defence ties between India and the US is an important aspect of our partnership.”
The MH-60 Romeo helicopters are designed to hunt down submarines and will add to the strategic depth and combat capability of the Indian Navy. The fleet will boost the Indian Navy’s anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations. The first batch of formidable MH-60 Romeo helicopters is scheduled to be delivered by the U.S. in 2 years. The multi-role helicopters will be deployed on warships and will be very effective in keeping the submarine threat posed by the extra-regional Navies, including China and Pakistan, in the Indian Ocean Region.
The AH-64E Apache are the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter and represents the backbone of the U.S. Army attack helicopter fleet. As of now, more than 400 AH-64E model Apaches have been delivered worldwide. The AH-64E Apache helicopters have advanced digital connectivity, Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and new composite main rotor blade.
Besides, the two leaders also held bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi today. During their talks, they discussed upon a number of issues ranging from 5G technology to terrorism. Modi and Trump reaffirmed their commitment in protecting their citizens from radical Islamic terrorism. Separately, Modi and Trump also said that both the nations are working on the terms of the prospective trade deal
Prior to this, Trump received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi where he was accorded the tri-services Guard of Honour. He then went ahead and met the President of India – Ram Nath Kovind. He then paid homage to Father of the Nation, India – Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
In addition, Melania Trump also attended a ‘Happiness Class’ at Sarvodaya Co-Ed Senior Secondary School at Nanakpura in South Delhi. She was bestowed with a traditional welcome with an ‘arti thali’ upon her arrival. Students had lined up at the entrance of the school, holding the flags of India and the U.S. During her visit, Melania Trump attended a ‘Happiness Class’ and interacted with the students and teachers.
Speaking at the school, Melania Trump said, “Namaste! It’s a beautiful school. Thank you for welcoming me with a traditional dance performance. This is my first visit to India, people here are so welcoming and so kind.”
Expressing gratitude to First Lady, the Chief Minister of Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “@FLOTUS will attend happiness class in our school today. Great day for our teachers, students and Delhiites. For centuries, India has taught spirituality to the world. Am happy that she will take back the msg of happiness from our school”
.@FLOTUS will attend happiness class in our school today. Great day for our teachers, students and Delhiites. For centuries, India has taught spirituality to the world. Am happy that she will take back the msg of happiness from our school
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2020
For the records, ‘Happiness Curriculum’ is a flagship scheme of Arvind Kejriwal, which has won commendations from different parts of the globe. Launched in 2018, ‘Happiness Curriculum’ intends to completely transform the school education and shift the focus from traditional marks-oriented teaching to cognition, language, literacy, numeracy and the arts-based learning model.
Trump and family are expected to have a Presidential Banquet at Rashtrapati Bhawan at around 7:00 p.m., hosted by the President of India and then they would leave for the U.S. at 10:00 p.m.
