AMN / HOUSTON
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call for a decisive fight against terrorism and its proponents. He was addressing the historic Howdy Mody rally of 50,000 Indian Americans at Houston’s NRG Stadium where US President Donald Trump joined him in a rare gesture of friendship.
The Prime Minister said time has come to wipe out the menace of terrorism. Without naming any country, he said whole world knows who is aiding and abetting terrorists. Mr. Modi said President Trump stands solidly in the battle against terrorism.
Mr Modi said, India’s decision to nullify Article 370 has caused trouble to those who cannot handle their country. He said people of Jammu and Kashmir were devoid of fruits of development because of Article 370, a situation being exploited by forces instigating terrorism.
Referring to Howdy Modi, the Prime Minister said, presence of US President Trump and all the senators talking about India’s progress is a respect to the achievement of the 1.3 billion Indians. He said a new history is in the making as India and US join hands.
The Prime Minister said, New India is emerging and the country is not only changing but taking on the challenges and moving ahead on its mission towards a 5 trillion dollar economy.
Addressing the event, President Trump said, they are working to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism. He said, border security is vital to both America and India as he emphasized on bolstering Indo-US security relationship.
Mr. Trump announced that first-ever tri-services exercise will be held in November. Mr Trump praised Modi government’s economic reforms and said these reforms have lifted nearly three hundred million people out of poverty.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi introduced President Trump to the Indian-Americans at the mega event as a very special person whose presence at the event signals India has a true friend at the White House. US President reciprocated by saying in equal measure.
The address was marked by warmth, hugs and handshakes reflecting the bonhomie between the two leaders. It had its own share of wow moments like PM saying Abki baar, Trump Sarkar.
President Trump calling PM Modi a great leader and friend while PM Modi recalling how Mr.Trump calls him a tough negotiator, when the US President himself is known as the Master of Art of Deals. At the end of the address, both leaders went together hand in hand on a victory round of the stadium.
It is for the first time that a foreign leader addressed such a huge gathering in the US soil. Howdy Modi event was organized by the Texas India Forum at NRG stadium with the theme ‘Shared dreams, bright future’.
Teenage singing prodigy Sparsh Shah participated in the special cultural programme to reflect the US-India cultural ties at the ‘Howdy Modi!, Shared Dreams, Bright Futures’ community event. The 90-minute programme, ‘Woven: The Indian-American Story’, had a music, dance and multimedia show.
The programme was prepared to celebrate the contributions the Indian-Americans have made in the United States. Speaking about the event, Sparsh said, he is honoured and humbled to be invited to sing the Indian National Anthem in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump.
Our correspondent covering the event reports that NRG stadium was packed to its capacity and all were shouting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
After the Howdy Modi event, Prime Minister unveiled the plaque at the groundbreaking ceremony of Eternal Gandhi Museum in Houston. He also inaugurated Gujarati Samaj Houston Event Centre and Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Houston.