PM Modi Is Friend Of Mine, Says US President Trump As He Embarks On Maiden Visit To India

US President Donald Trump on Sunday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi his ‘friend’ as he embarked on his maiden two-day visit to India for talks with the top Indian leadership during which the two countries are expected to significantly ramp up bilateral relations. Just before his departure, the US president said he had committed to visit India a long time back and he is looking forward to be with the people of India.

“I look forward to being with the people of India. We are going to have many millions and millions of people. It’s a long trip. I get along very well with Prime Minister Modi. He is a friend of mine,” Trump told reporters outside the White House.

“I had committed to this trip long time ago. I look forward to it. I hear it’s going to be a big event..the biggest event they ever had in India. That’s what the Prime Minister told me. Its’ the biggest event they ever had. It’s going to be very exciting. I am going to be there for one night,” said the US President in response to a question.

Trump is accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and the top brass of his administration.

The nearly 36-hour-long visit by Trump is also set to send across a clear message of growing congruence of interests on major geopolitical developments in the region and beyond, particularly when China has been expanding its military might and economic clout.

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He will arrive at the Ahmedabad International Airport on Monday, where he’ll be given guard of honour. President Trump will become the seventh American President, after Dwight D Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama, to visit the country. It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the Ahmedabad airport.

Trump's Jam-Packed Schedule

Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, the US President will begin the nearly 36-hour-long trip with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also accompany Trump to the Ashram, which is closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and India’s freedom struggle.

The US President along with PM Modi will address the 'Namaste Trump' event which is likely to be attended by mammoth crowd of more than 100,000 people at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

With Agency Inputs