Donald Trump is expecting a bigger reception than ‘Howdy, Modi’ during his India visit
The President of United States (U.S.) – Donald Trump is expecting a bigger reception that ‘Howdy, Modi’ during his 2-day India visit after the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi promised him a gathering of 5-7 million people during the upcoming public rally at Gujarat.
Trump also mentioned that PM Modi has assured him of millions coming to airport to welcome him. His remarks came a day after White House officially announced that Trump would be visiting India on February 24-25, 2020.
Addressing a Press Conference, Trump said, “I am (going to India). He (PM Modi) said we will have millions and millions of people. He thinks we will have 5-7 million people just from the airport to the new stadium.”
Giving a reference of ‘Howdy Modi’, Trump said, “When we have 50,000 people, I’m not going to feel so good we’ll have five to seven million people just from the airport to the new stadium. And you know it is the largest stadium in the world. (They are) building it now. It’s almost complete and it’s the largest in the world.”
During the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event, more than 50,000 people had gathered at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas to see Trump and Modi showcase their friendship and highlight the achievements of their respective Governments. During the 90-minute event, the audience was enthralled by more than 400 performers. The reception received during the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ is one of the largest receptions that any foreign leader has received in the U.S.
During the India trip, Trump is expecting a reception greater than the ‘Howdy, Modi’. The 2 leaders are expected to address a massive public rally at the newly built Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Built at a cost of U.S. $ 100 million, the Motera Stadium has a seating capacity of 1,00,000 spectators. It will be world’s largest cricket stadium overtaking the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.
Separately, Trump and the First Lady will also attend official engagements in Delhi and Ahmedabad and will also interact with a cross-section of Indian society. The trip will further strengthen the India-U.S. relations.
Talking about his friendship with Indian PM, Trump said, “He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is a friend of mine. He’s a great gentleman.”
India and U.S. are likely to sign a trade deal worth U.S. $ 10 billion. The deal is a precursor to a Free Trade Agreement between the 2 nations. India expects to sign deals to raise its defense and energy purchases from the U.S. during the Trump’s visit.
The deal is likely to address the U.S.’s demand of doing away with duty on U.S. information and communication technology goods along with market access for its dairy products and duty cuts on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In addition, U.S. also wants India to buy more almonds form it. Besides, India is looking forward to restoration of benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which was called off by Trump in June 2018.
