Donald Trump’s India Visit Will Be Of Three Legs, Expect Large Number Of People At Motera Stadium: MEA

The upcoming US President Donald’s India visit will be of three legs -- Ahmedabad-Agra- Delhi, and he will land in Ahmedabad on February 24 noon before heading to the Motera Stadium to address the 'Namaste Trump' event, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Ahead of his two-day visit, starting from February 24, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India is expecting a large of number of people at the newly built Motera Stadium where the 'Namaste Trump' event is scheduled to be held. “This will be US President Trump's first visit to India. It will be his fifth meeting with PM Modi in eight months,” said Kumar.

On asked about Trump's comments that India does not treat US well, Kumar said it is important to understand the context in which remarks were made. The context was balance of trade, efforts have been made to address the concerns. Trump on Tuesday told reporters in Washington that India has not treated the US "very well" on the trade front but "I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot."

Full-scale preparations are afoot in New Delhi, Agra and Ahmedabad to welcome Trump, his wife Melania Trump and a high-level delegation from the US administration. The first couple of the US will begin their much-anticipated India visit from Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the event.

A number of deals including the USD 2.6 billion contract to procure 24 naval helicopters from the US by India could be fructified during Trump's nearly 36 hour-long scheduled visit that is aimed at further invigorating defence, trade and strategic ties, official sources said.

India does not expect that Jammu and Kashmir will figure in the talks as the US State Department has already said that it is an issue which should be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan, sources noted.

Kumar said, when asked how many pacts will be inked during Trump's visit, around five MoUs are under discussion.

"In Delhi, both the leaders will pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat. Followed by delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump at the Hyderabad House," said Kumar.