Home Entertainment ‘Namaste Trump’ Trumps visit India.

‘Namaste Trump’ Trumps visit India.

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The 45th President of the United States Donald Trump’s visit to India and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a much-awaited global diplomatic event in 2020. The meeting of the top two leaders of the oldest democracy and the largest democracy in the world got attention from across the globe. This was Donald Trump’s first state visit to India.

President Trump’s flight time for his India trip was of about 36 hours, a steep trade-off for about the same amount of time in the country. But his diplomatic drop-in was as intense as it was brief, with his hosts providing expansive red-carpet treatment that the president used to celebrate the most politically favorable stretch of his presidency.

“It was a fantastic two days,” Mr. Trump said at the start of a solo news conference in Delhi.

President Trump arrived in India kicking off a whirlwind 36-hour tour Monday with a mega-rally that drew about 100,000 people and a visit to India’s iconic Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century by an Indian emperor as a tomb for his beloved wife, was buffed and scrubbed before Trump and the first lady took a private sunset tour. Trump, who was visiting the monument for the first time, told reporters that it was “incredible, truly incredible.”

The two countries have faced stubborn tensions over trade even as they continue to deepen their security cooperation. At the rally, Trump touted a $3 billion defense deal with India.

Arriving at the airport in the western city of Ahmedabad, Trump was greeted by Modi, whom he has described as a good friend. The two leaders appeared together at a rally in Houston last year.

Two leaders traveled from the airport to an ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati River where Mohandas Gandhi, India’s revered independence leader, lived for 13 years. The roads were lined with people, perhaps in the tens of thousands. (Previously, Trump had boasted at a rally in Colorado that 10 million people would greet him upon his arrival.)

The Trumps toured Gandhi’s modest home, removing their shoes before entering as all visitors do. Trump also sat on the floor and tried spinning cotton on a charkha, a hand-cranked wheel that Gandhi promoted as a tool of self-reliance.

The next stop was Motera Stadium, a new venue that is the largest cricket stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 110,000. The stadium was nearly full, and attendees waited hours in the blazing sun for Trump and Modi to arrive.

Trump and Modi lavished praise on each other during the joint rally. Modi welcomed Trump to the world’s biggest democracy, while Trump spoke of the close ties between the two countries. Trump called Modi an “exceptional leader” who works “night and day for his country.”

“America loves India, America respects India, and America will always be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people,” Trump continued. By the time the rally concluded, more than half the attendees had left, weary of the long hours under the sun.

Trump, who travelled with his wife as well as his daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, flew from Ahmedabad to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. Upon landing, he was greeted by Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh.

Donald Trump and Melania were seen enjoying the sunset at Taj. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wrote “The Taj Mahal inspires awe. A timeless testament to the rich and diverse beauty of Indian culture. Thank you India.” In the visitors’ book at the Taj Mahal.

After their trip to Agra, Trumps arrived at Delhi and enjoyed their dinner. In the morning Trumps were given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati bhavan along with guard of honour. Later Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial at Rajghat

The US President signed the visitor’s book, writing, “The America(n) people stand strongly with a sovereign and wonderful India – the vision of the great Mahatma Gandhi – This is a tremendous honor!”

Mr. Trump’s signed message in the visitor’s book at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad earlier stood out with no mention of India’s freedom movement icon, instead thanking “my great friend Prime Minister Modi” for a “wonderful visit”.

Melania Trump visited Sarvodaya Co-Education Senior Secondary School in south Delhi’s Moti Bagh where she attended the flagship “Happiness Class”. Ms Trump was welcomed with a tilak by students and teachers.

Delegation-level talks were held between Trump and Modi at Hyderabad House, after which Prime Minister Modi hosted a lunch for the US president. In the evening, the US president met President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and after attending the banquet hosted by Kovind, President Trump departed from India.