US President Donald Trump talks to the media before departing the White House. (Source: Twitter/@WhiteHouse)
Donald Trump India Visit LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump, along with First Lady Melania, Sunday left for his maiden India visit. The Trump convoy is scheduled to land at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 11:40 am, following which he will address the ‘Namaste Trump’ event at Motera stadium at 1 pm where he will be accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the event, the US President will visit the Taj Mahal. Thereafter, he will travel to Delhi where he is expected to wrap up issues related to trade and defence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said India looks forward to welcoming Trump on his first India visit since assuming office. Read this in Malayalam
Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to US President Donald Trump, Sunday said she is honoured to return to India to celebrate the ‘grand friendship’ between the world’s two largest democracies which has ‘never been stronger before’. Ivanka will accompany Trump and First Lady Melania on their two day India visit on February 24-25.
Meanwhile, unprecedented security measures are in place in Delhi for Trump’s visit. Besides the multi-layer security cover, elaborate arrangements have been made by the Delhi Police, including placement of double barricading on all the roads on which Trump’s convoy is likely to pass, PTI reported, adding that aerial surveillance of the route will also be conducted as part of the security measures.
Security personnel conduct a rehearsal ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit, in Ahmedabad on Saturday. (Express Photo: Javed Raja)
Highlights
US President Donald Trump's 'Namaste Trump' event will be held at Motera stadium today.
Chetak Commando of Gujarat Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed for security at the road near Motera Stadium, in Ahmedabad.
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted, "India awaits your arrival @POTUS. Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations. See you very soon in Ahmedabad."
The group is one of the artists who will perform during the roadshow of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump today.
US President Donald Trump will visit the Ashram today upon his arrival to the city.
President Trump is arriving in India today, along with a high-level delegation. PM Modi will hold a roadshow along with him and participate in the event at the stadium.
Every spot for drinking water has at least 3 staff of Amdavad Municipal Corporation to make arrangements for the people coming for 'Namaste Trump' event at Motera stadium.
Its markets full of hoardings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and its walls painted brown to blend with the red sandstone monuments, Agra is all set to welcome its high-profile guests on Monday. “We were informed about Trump’s visit on February 14. We have reconstructed footpaths, cleaned sewers, decorated junctions with flowers and installed tricolour LED lights on electric poles,” said District Magistrate Prabhu N Singh. Trump will arrive in Agra at 4.45 pm on Monday and visit Taj Mahal before leaving for Delhi. He will be welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel.
Hundreds of billboards hailing “strong leaders”, “two dynamic personalities”, “great democracies”; decorations depicting events in the life of Mahatma Gandhi; traditional artistes from across the country; 28 stages representing different states along a journey labelled India Road Show; a security contingent including 15 bomb detection squads; and, the Namaste Trump event. The government is pulling no stops in rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump who lands in Ahmedabad at 11.40 am Monday for what officials have described as “the first standalone visit by a US President to India”. Read more here
Famous Gujarati delicacy ‘khaman’ has made its way into the menu of the high tea to be offered to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania during their brief visit to Sabarmati Ashram here on Monday. Apart from khaman, the VVIPs from the US and their delegation will be offered broccoli and corn samosa, apple pie, kaju katli and a variety of teas to choose from, said chef Suresh Khanna of Ahmedabad’s Fortune Landmark Hotel, PTI reported.
Security tightened outside Motera stadium in Ahmedabad ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leave for Ahmedabad shortly, where he will hold a roadshow along with US President Donald Trump and participate in 'Namaste Trump' event at the Motera stadium. President Trump will be arriving in India along with a high-level delegation today.
The first visit to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram by an incumbent American president is estimated to take up around 15 minutes of his three-hour tour of the city, officials said on Sunday. US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania, and senior advisers to the President, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, are expected to visit the Ashram along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi around 12.30 pm. Read more
An announcement on a “project proposal” for the setting up of six nuclear power reactors in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric Company is expected during US President Donald Trump’s visit this week.
The emergence of a viable proposal would set the stage for a commercial agreement to be initialled with Westinghouse Electric, which would pave the way for commencement of work on the project in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Read more
With China moving to expand its strategic footprint through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India and the US will discuss the Blue Dot network, a new proposal to cover infrastructure and development projects across the region and other countries. The Blue Dot network is “a multi-stakeholder initiative to bring together governments, the private sector and civil society to promote high-quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development”, sources said. The US, which is leading the proposal, has already got Japan and Australia as partners in this idea. Read more
Hundreds of billboards hailing “strong leaders”, “two dynamic personalities”, “great democracies”; decorations depicting events in the life of Mahatma Gandhi; traditional artistes from across the country; 28 stages representing different states along a journey labelled India Road Show; a security contingent including 15 bomb detection squads; and, the Namaste Trump event.
The government is pulling no stops in rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump who lands in Ahmedabad at 11.40 am Monday for what officials have described as “the first standalone visit by a US President to India”. Read more...
Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the CAA, NRC and NPR, telling him to ask visiting US President Donald Trump if it was possible to extradite as many as 19 lakh people from Assam.
Addressing a meet here against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the former Minister, citing the BJP's brute majority in Parliament, asked what was the guarantee that the government would not bring in an amendment, similar to the CAA, to give a push to its idea of a "Hindu" country. Alleging that there was a great threat to the Constitution and the need to save it, he said countries were now asking questions over the CAA.
"US President Donald Trump has said that he will ask questions about the CAA even before his arrival. If six to 10 lakh people are going to be affected, will the visiting leader go without posing questions?" he asked. (PTI)
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Former cricket captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly arrives in Ahmedabad ahead of Donald Trump's event at Motera stadium on Monday. (Express photo by Vaibhav Jha)
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, said on Saturday that he has declined an invitation for the banquet to be hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind for US President Donald Trump on February 25, to protest against the government for not extending an invite to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi.
“Our party leader Sonia Gandhi has not been invited. President Trump is representing the biggest democracy of the world and the Indian Prime Minister is representing the largest democracy. Democracy has various implications, of which… inherent is decency and etiquette… When Modi visited America… both Republicans and Democrats were present on the podium at the Howdy Modi event,” he said.
“But here, the meaning of democracy in the lexicon of Modi has changed. Here, it will only be a Modi show, as if India belongs to Modi… The Congress is a 134-year-old democratic party, and our leader is recognised by all democratic countries… But much to our chagrin… she has not been invited. It is a direct affront to the Congress. So, I cannot but refuse the invitation,” he told The Sunday Express.
President Trump departs White House in his chopper.
US President Trump ahead of his India visit: I look forward to being with the people of India, we will be with millions and millions of people. I get along very well with the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), he is a friend of mine. PM told me this will be the biggest event they have ever had. (ANI)
Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to US President Donald Trump, Sunday said she is honoured to return to India to celebrate the 'grand friendship' between the world’s two largest democracies which has 'never been stronger before'. Ivanka will accompany Trump and First Lady Melania on their two day India visit on February 24-25.
US President Donald Trump will be welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on his arrival at the airport in Agra where hundreds of artistes will perform, a top official said on Sunday.
"The UP governor and chief minister will welcome US President Trump at the Kheria airport. However, they will not accompany him to the Taj Mahal. The governor and the chief minister would also be at the airport to send him off," Agra District Magistrate (DM) Prabhu N Singh told PTI.
Trump's convoy route from the airport to the Taj Mahal is about 13 km, and along the way thousands of artistes will welcome him with special performances.
"At the airport, about 250 artistes will do special performances reflecting the beauty and culture of Uttar Pradesh.
"Along the route to the Taj, a total of 3,000 artistes spread over 21 designated areas will present dance forms of Brij, Awadh and other regions, like Krishna Leela, dances themed on Radha, and other cultural forms of the regions,” Singh said. (PTI)
US President Donald Trump will be welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on his arrival at the airport in Agra where hundreds of artistes will perform, a top official said on Sunday.
"The UP governor and chief minister will welcome US President Trump at the Kheria airport. However, they will not accompany him to the Taj Mahal. The governor and the chief minister would also be at the airport to send him off," Agra District Magistrate (DM) Prabhu N Singh told PTI.
Trump's convoy route from the airport to the Taj Mahal is about 13 km, and along the way thousands of artistes will welcome him with special performances.
"At the airport, about 250 artistes will do special performances reflecting the beauty and culture of Uttar Pradesh.
"Along the route to the Taj, a total of 3,000 artistes spread over 21 designated areas will present dance forms of Brij, Awadh and other regions, like Krishna Leela, dances themed on Radha, and other cultural forms of the regions,” Singh said. (PTI)
US President Donald Trump and delegation to land in Ahmedabad tomorrow at 11.40 am.
12.15 pm: Sabarmati Ashram
1 pm: Address at the Namaste Trump event at Motera stadium
3.30 pm: leave for Agra
5.15 pm: Taj Mahal
7.30 pm: arrival in Delhi
Ahead of US President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India, former Union minister and Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday said so far there are no positive indications that the high profile visit would yield any major outcomes.
"So far I do not have any positive indication of any major outcome. It will be a continuation of defence and security cooperation, and a reaffirmation of our cooperation in space and nuclear sciences. It is ongoing and it will not be a new thing," the former minister who handled external affairs under the Congress-led UPA 1 told PTI.
He claimed that during the visit, there would neither be any trade agreement nor restoration of India's status under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) bracket which the country previously had.
"There won't be any trade agreement. There won't be restoration of the GSP with all indications and the US making negative statements," he said.
"By putting India in the bracket of developed countries list, the US would drastically cut down any of the access and even the H1B visas which were available to India as a developing country because the US has quotas. So let us see. Except for a helicopter deal, there appears nothing in the offing," Sharma said. (PTI)
With a food testing laboratory, elaborate security systems, uber luxurious amenities such as an ornate private drawing room and spa and floor butlers, the mansion-like Grand Presidential Suite of the ITC Maurya here that has played host to a number of heads of states is all set to welcome US President Donald Trump on Monday.
The premium hotel also has an air quality monitoring system and ensures that its guests breathe air that is "as fresh as mountain breeze", according to its website.
The two-bedroom Grand Presidential Suite, known as 'Chanakya', has hosted several heads of states including former US presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush.
It has a private drawing room, a private terrace, a gym and a dining area along with a private entrance, a parking boulevard, a high speed elevator, elaborate security systems and a presidential floor butler, according to the hotel's website.
The website describes the 'Chanakya' suite as "a two-bedroom mansion of luxury with silk panelled walls, dark wood flooring and magnificent artwork".
It says the suite boasts of a reception area, a large living room, a study, a peacock-themed 12-seater private dining room, an opulent bathroom with mother of pearl accessories and imperial décor and a mini spa and gymnasium. (PTI)
Owing to security reasons, during the evening hours on 24th February, traffic in the areas of Delhi Cantonment, Delhi-Gurgaon Road (NH 48), Dhaula Kuan, Chanakyapuri, SP Marg, RML Roundabout, and the adjoining areas is likely to remain heavy. Necessary diversions as per the ground situation may also be put in place.
From forenoon till around 4 pm on 25th February, Traffic is likely to remain heavy in the areas of Moti Bagh, Chanakyapuri, India Gate, areas around ITO, Delhi Gate and the adjoining areas of Central and New Delhi.
Similarly, in the evening hours on 25th Feb, Traffic is likely to remain heavy in the area of Chanakyapuri, RML roundabout, Dhaula kuan, Delhi Cantonment, Delhi-Gurgaon Road (NH 48) and the adjoining areas. Necessary Traffic diversions as per the ground situation may also be enforced.
This is for information of motorists. They may keep these factors in mind while planning to travel in these areas. They may also contact Delhi Traffic Police website for getting updates.
From traditional Gujarati dishes to variant samosas, here's what will be served to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on their India visit.
Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Delhi, 30 “United States Secret Service agents” have arrived in the national capital to ensure the tightest possible security arrangement during his stay, which will be spent at Hotel ITC Maurya Sheraton.
For the first time, Delhi Police is installing high-definition CCTV cameras with night vision in the Central Ridge area across the hotel to monitor the situation round-the-clock.
Sources told The Sunday Express that these agents are currently staying in the same hotel. They also held a meeting with officials from Indian intelligence agencies, where senior officers of the Delhi Police were also present to discuss the security plan at length. Read more
Ahead of his two-day visit to India, US President Donald Trump Sunday took to Twitter to share a morphed video from the movie ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’, with his face superimposed on the protagonist.
While re-tweeting the one-minute-20-second video clip posted by a user, Trump wrote: “Look so forward to being with my great friends in INDIA!”
A day before US President Donald Trump’s visit to Ahmedabad, a makeshift VVIP entry gate erected outside the newly-built cricket stadium in Motera area here collapsed due to gusty winds on Sunday morning, an official said.
The entire incident was recorded by a bystander and aired on local television channels. The makeshift entry gate was made of welded steel rods and covered in flex banners.
President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a roadshow here on Monday and later address the ‘Namaste Trump’ event at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera area where over one lakh people are expected to be present.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla reviewing security arrangements at Ashram ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Gujarat.
Even as Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that it would be the decision of The White House on whether the US President Donald Trump will visit the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram, the Ashram authorities went ahead, readying the premise to welcome the first couple of the United States.
A top official in the Ahmedabad police department told this paper that the security detail had been planned factoring in a 30-minute visit to the Sabarmati Ashram. “In case they (the Trumps) decide not to visit the ashram, the road show will be advanced by 30 minutes accordingly,” said the officer. Read more