AGENCIES/ WEB DESK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump addressed a gathering of more than one lakh people at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera at the Namaste Trump event. Both leaders highlighted the shared values and traditions between India and the USA and the future of the bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the welcome address first and emphasized the democratic traditions of the two nations as the basis for the strong relationship. He also referred to his close friendship with President Trump and the cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
President Trump made an attempt to connect with the Indian people on a personal level during his speech. He quoted Swami Vivekananda and paid tributes to Indian icons including Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhai Patel. He even referred to aspects of Indian popular culture including Cricket and bollywood, which was very well received by the audience.
The event took place after a 22-kilometre long India Roadshow through the streets of Ahmedabad and a visit to Sabarmati Ashram. While writing his comments in the visitor’s book at the Ashram, President Trump called Prime Minister Modi as his great friend and thanked him for the wonderful visit.
Donald Trump became the seventh American President to make a state visit to India when he set foot at Ahmadabad, Gujarat’s mega city, a short while ago. Trump and America’s First Lady Melania were given a grand red-carpet reception at the Ahmadabad Airport as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was there to welcome the American Head of State with his trademark hug.
There was no stone left upturned in rendering full Indian hospitality to the US President as a glimpse of Gujarati culture was on display with folk dancers dancing to the tune of some songs, flanking the US President and his lady wife on either side of the red carpet.