‘Special Gesture’: Modi on Trump’s Decision to Join Houston Event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump took great pains to stress the importance of a strong US-Indian relationship during their talks on Monday. 

(Photo: AP)

US President Donald Trump will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Houston's mega ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event on 22 September, the White House confirmed on Sunday, 15 September.

In a statement, the US government said that this will be a “great opportunity to emphasise the strong ties” between the people of the two countries.

Reflecting on the new bonhomie in the India-US ties under the Trump administration, this is for the first time in recent history that the leaders of the two largest democracies would be addressing a joint rally anywhere in the world.

Reacting to Trump’s decision, Modi on Monday tweeted calling it a ‘special gesture’

Over 50,000 people have already registered and 8,000 are on the wait-list for the event that will be held in the NGR stadium on 22 September. The Indian diaspora in USA account for nearly 3.2 million of the country’s population.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Griesham 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.”

This would also be the first time that an American president would be addressing thousands of Indian-Americans at one place in the US.

Trump’s Participation Is ‘Historic’: Indian Ambassador to US

Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla called Trump's participation in the event “historic” and “unprecedented.”

“It is reflective of the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that has developed between India and the US,” Shringla told PTI.

Alice Wells who is the US Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, also said, “US President Trump joining Indian PM Modi for Howdy Modi event in Houston is a truly historic tribute to contributions of Indian-American community to prosperity of our country and strength of US-India relations.”

Over 60 prominent US lawmakers including Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, are expected to attend the mega diaspora event.

The Houston event will be Modi's third major address to the Indian-American community after he first became the prime minister in 2014. The previous two were at the Madison Square Garden in New York in 2014 and the Silicon Valley in 2016. Both the events were attended by more than 20,000 people.

According to a report on The Print, the event will be divided into two segments. The first segment which will have a duration of 90 minutes is titled “Women: The Indian-American Story”

Trump’s appearance at the rally might also be an indication of Modi’s leverage over Pakistan especially because Trump had made a political gaffe and offered to “mediate” between India and Pakistan over Kashmir during Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit.

Although Pakistan has been trying for an international intervention into the Kashmir conflict, India has consistently maintained that it is a bilateral issue.

The Houston event, while on one hand, is expected to have the largest ever gathering for any foreign leader in USA after the pope, The Wire reported that the rally might also have to face at least 10,000 Pakistanis protesters.

‘Trump’s Gesture Shows He Considers Modi His Friend & Ally’

Meanwhile, former Pakistani Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani on Monday said that Trump’s decision to join Modi for the mega diaspora event suggests that Trump considers Modi to be his friend and ally, according to PTI.

“That (Howdy, Mody! event) will certainly depress those who thought Khan’s last trip to Washington represented a breakthrough in US-Pakistan relations.”

Husain Haqqani, Pakistani Ambassador to the US 

Haqqani (63), who has authored several bestselling books on Pakistan, is currently a senior fellow and director at the South and Central Asia department of think-tank Hudson Institute.

Trump, Modi Joint Address Truly Historic Tribute to Indian-Americans' Contributions: US Diplomat

US President Donald Trump's decision to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the mega 'Howdy Modi' rally in Houston over the weekend is a truly historic tribute to the contributions of the Indian-Americans, a top US diplomat has said, according to PTI.

"Trump joining Modi for the Howdy Modi event in Houston is a truly historic tribute to the contributions of the Indian-American community to the prosperity of our country and the strength of US-India relations," Alice G Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, tweeted on Tuesday.

Senator Ted Cruz, a former Republican presidential aspirant, said he was looking forward to welcoming Modi to Houston to celebrate the culture and contributions of the Indian-American community and the vibrant US-Indian alliance, which is critical to America's national security and energy future, according to PTI.

Tulsi Gabbard Not to Attend Event

Indian-American Democratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard has clarified that she would not be attending the event due to ‘previously scheduled presidential campaign events’.

On Wednesday, Gabbard tweeted in response to am article which claimed that she had refused invitation for the event. Gabbard also said that she is hoping to meet Modi during his visit.

(With inputs from The Print, The Wire, PTI)