USA Loves India, Says Trump After Historic 'Howdy, Modi' Event

President Donald Trump said on Sunday the USA loves India, expressing his gratitude to over 50,000 India-Americans for giving him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a rousing welcome on their arrival at the packed NRG stadium here for the much-awaited “Howdy, Modi” event. “The USA loves India!” Trump said in a succinct tweet. Trump and Modi embraced each other and walked together towards the stage waving at the boisterous crowd that had been waiting eagerly for the historic occasion.

Addressing a record crowd of 50,000 Indian-Americans at the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event at the packed NRG stadium in Houston in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said the two countries will soon sign several defence deals to bolster their relationship.

The USA Loves India! https://t.co/xlfnWafxpg

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2019

The president said over the last decade, India and US’ defence cooperation has reached USD 18 billion.

“We are committed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism,” the US president said.

“India and the US also understand that to keep our community safe, we must protect our borders. Border security is vital to the United States. Border Security is vital to India. And we understand that,” Trump said as Prime Minister Modi was seen clapping.

India accuses Pakistan of providing safe haven to terror groups, which carry out attacks in the neighbouring countries.

“We are further taking unprecedented action to secure our southern border (with Mexico) and stop illegal immigration,” Trump said while the crowed cheered.

He said illegal immigration is unfair to legal immigrants who pay taxes and obey laws.

During his nearly 25-minute speech, Trump praised Modi’s economic reforms and said these reforms have lifted more than three million people out of poverty.

“And that is an incredible number,” he added.

Noting that the US is the No 1 producer of oil and natural gas on the planet, Trump said he was thrilled to hear about the Indian company’s pledge to purchase up to 5 million tonnes of LNG a year from the US, which could lead to billions of dollars of LNG exports to India in the coming years.”

“India has never invested in the United States like it’s doing today,” Trump said, adding “I want to say, it’s reciprocal, because we’re doing the same in India.”

Trump said in November the US and India will demonstrate dramatic progress of their defence relationship, holding the first-ever trilateral-service military exercise between our nations - ‘Tiger Triumph’.