Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will hold extensive talks in New Delhi today. The two leaders are likely to discuss a wide variety of bilateral and regional issues including trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism, energy security and situation in the Indo-Pacific. India and the US are set to sign bilateral agreements mostly in the defence and energy sectors.
In his address at a massive Namaste Trump rally at Motera stadium in Ahmedabad yesterday, US president announced that deals to sell state-of-the-art military helicopters and other equipment worth over 3 billion dollars will be signed today.
The US President strongly pitched for becoming India’s premier defence partner by providing it with the most advanced weapon system feared across the globe.
Mr Trump and the First Lady will begin their day today with a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the morning. From there, they will go to Rajghat to pay homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. It will be followed by the talks between Mr Trump and Mr Modi at Hyderabad House. Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch for the US president following the talks. In the evening, Mr Trump will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A banquet will be hosted by Mr Kovind.
Mr Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration, arrived in Ahmedabad yesterday on a two-day visit to India. Prime Minister Modi received the visiting dignitaries at the airport.
In Ahmedabad, US President attended a 22-km-long roadshow, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram and addressed the mega gathering with Prime Minister Modi at Motera Stadium.
During their speech at the Namaste Trump event, the two leaders lavished praise on each other and vowed to a better future for people of the two democracies.
Describing India and the US as natural partners, Prime Minister Modi called Mr Trump a special friend of India. Mr Modi said his visit to India has created a new history in Indo-US relations.
Prime Minister also asserted that new India has brought many new opportunities for a resurgent America.
In his address, Mr Trump praised India’s unity in diversity, called it an inspiration to the world. Hailing India’s diversity, the US President said its unity is an inspiration to the world as it is known for its democracy, tolerance and peace.
Mr. Trump said both India and US are united in defending their citizens from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. He said, Washington is working with Islamabad to crack down on terrorist groups operating from Pakistan.
From Ahmedabad, the US president travelled to Agra to have a glimpse of Taj Mahal. The Trump family spent about an hour at Taj Mahal before sunset.
They arrived in Delhi from Agra at around 7:30 PM.
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