Namaste Trump: Donald Trump to arrive in India shortly; here’s the overview of the agenda.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, are scheduled to arrive at the Sardar Vallabhai Airport in the home-state of PM Modi today. During his two-day visit, Trump will visit three Indian cities — Ahemdabad, Delhi and Agra. On Tuesday night, he will fly back to Washington.
On Day 1 today, Trump will address the ‘Namaste India’ event at the Motera cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. POTUS will also inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium. Thereafter, Trump will visit Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. After a few engagements in the city, the Trumps will be flown to Agra for a visit to the Taj Mahal. The US President will also meet his Indian counterpart — Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Trump is also scheduled to meet top Indian business leaders as part of a CEO roundtable at the US embassy before leaving India tomorrow.
In a clear indication that the Agra trip is personal in character, there will be no political presence – not even the state chief minister who will only receive Donald Trump at the airport along with the Uttar Pradesh governor.
Agra Leg – mostly about Bros — Trump and Modi
The prime minister will not be with Donald Trump after the Ahmedabad leg of the tour but Narendra Modi’s absence will not be noticed.
The most noticeable element of the intezam (preparation) is that the trip is all about Modi-Trump bromance. And there is no space for anyone else. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is only visible in the form of welcome messages from the state government.
The hoardings are everywhere – at almost every ten yards – in the middle of the road and the two sides. Some of them are iconic in size – almost five stories tall and 100 feet wide covering the entire front of various buildings that are under construction.
Through the effort, the BJP-led Modi government is signaling to Donald Trump and the United States that their relationship is special at a time when the economy is in distress, China and Pakistan are worried, and Trump can be as an ally with benefits.
Trump will return back to Washington tomorrow after his prestigious tour to these cities and meeting with honorable President Ramnath Kovind.