President Donald Trump kicked off a tour of India with an appearance at the world’s largest cricket stadium where he spoke to an at-capacity crowd of 110,000 Indian people on Monday.
President Donald J. Trump addresses his remarks at the Namaste Trump Rally Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
Trump arrived in India to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and in a campaign rally-style appearance, Trump spoke to thousands of Indians at the Sardar Patel stadium. In his speech, Trump discussed the U.S. and India’s shared efforts to combat Islamic terrorism as well as a planned deal to transfer $3 billion in military helicopters and equipment to India.
The India rally, called “Namaste Trump” appears to be a response to September’s “Howdy Modi” rally, wherein Trump hosted Modi before a crowd of around 50,000 in Texas. The crowd is one of Trump’s largest yet, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Modi spoke first at the rally before introducing Trump to the crowd.
President Donald J. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stand together on stage before a cheering crowd at the Namaste Trump Rally Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
“America will always be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people,” Trump said to the thousands gathered in attendance.
Trump announced a planned deal to sell $3 billion in military equipment to India.
President Donald J. Trump addresses his remarks at the Namaste Trump Rally Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
“I am pleased to announce that tomorrow our representatives will sign deals to sell over $3 billion in the absolute finest state of the art military helicopters and other equipment to the Indian armed forces,” Trump said.
President Donald J. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk on stage before a cheering crowd at the Namaste Trump Rally Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
Trump also announced he was working with the neighboring Pakistan to crack down on terrorists operating in the country and had a “very good” relationship with the country. Islamic terrorism has reportedly become a growing concern for India.
President Donald J. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk along a cordon of cultural performers upon President Trump’s arrival Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. (Official White House Photo by Shea Craighead)
“The United States and India are also firmly united in our iron-clad resolve to defend our citizens from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism,” Trump said. “Both of our countries have been hurt by the pain and turmoil of terrorism and that terrorism brings.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump and Modi have also shared concerns about immigration and China’s rise growing influence in South Asia.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump also reportedly visited the Taj Mahal during their trip.
Trumps at the Taj Mahal pic.twitter.com/NlbGEj4ecw
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) February 24, 2020
The couple also toured one of the homes of Mahatma Gandhi, which has since been turned into a museum to his legacy, leading the movement for India’s independence from British rule.
