With massive decorations and elaborate security arrangements, Ahmedabad is ready to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be attending ‘Namaste Trump’, a mega event at the Motera cricket stadium.
Similar to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Howdy Modi! rally held in New Hampshire last year, Mr. Trump will take part in 'Namaste Trump' event at the newly-constructed cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. From resurfacing roads and planting palm trees along the streets to building a wall apparently to hide slums, the Gujarat government is pulling out all the stops to impress Mr. Trump.
POTUS schedule:
February 24
11.30 a.m. : Arrival in Ahmedabad, visit to Sabarmati Ashram.
1.05 p.m. : 'Namaste Trump' event with PM Modi.
5.15 p.m. : Arrival in Agra for Taj Mahal visit. Ticket counters at the Taj Mahal will close at 11:30 a.m.
7.30 p.m. : Arrival in New Delhi.
February 25
10.30 a.m. : Wreath laying at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
11.00 a.m. : Meeting with PM Modi at the front lawns of Hyderabad House (Discussion is expected to cover military and security cooperation, including defence agreements).
U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived at Ahmedabad Airport.
“Atithi Devo Bhava,” Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter.
“We are eager to visit India. We are on our way and will soon be meeting all,” Mr. Trump, on board the special Air Force One aircraft along with his delegation, had tweeted in Hindi earlier in the morning.
PM Narendra Modi reaches Ahmedabad; to welcome US President Donald Trump at airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Ahmedabad International Airport on Monday ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the city, where the two leaders will take part in the “Namaste Trump” eventat Motera Stadium after holding a roadshow.
Modi reached Ahmedabad at 10.25 am, around one and a half hours before the arrival of Trump and his delegation.
He will receive Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump upon their arrival aboard the Air Force One flight, scheduled to land here at around 11.40 am, officials said. - PTI
Donald Trump, seventh U.S. President to visit India
Donald Trump will be the seventh US president ever to travel to India and the first one to land in Ahmedabad, where he will be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an unprecedented roadshow and a historic joint address before a record crowd of more than one lakh people.
Mr. Trump on Sunday left for his maiden visit to India for talks with the top Indian leadership during which the two countries are expected to significantly ramp up bilateral relations, especially in the defence and strategic ties.
Melania visit: No objection to Delhi CM’s presence, says US Embassy spokesperson
spreading cheer Happiness Curriculum class in progress at the Shaheed Hemu Kalani Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya run by Delhi Govt at Lajpat Nagar in New Delhi. The happiness curriculum was introduced by the Delhi Government last year. PHOTO: R. V. Moorthy R_V_Moorthy
On the eve of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s arrival in the Capital, the U.S. Embassy said it had “no objection” to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s presence at a Delhi government school, which the First Lady is scheduled to visit here on Tuesday.
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson further said that the Embassy appreciates their “recognition” that it was “not a political event,” with a specific focus on children. According to PMO sources, no Chief Minister is part of the Trump visit.
While the Gujarat Chief Minister is not part of the roadshow, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister is not part of the Taj visit. Besides, PMO sources said, the matter was the prerogative of the U.S. Embassy.
Gujarat CM welcomes Trump
Prime Minister Modi tweeted: "India awaits your arrival @POTUS @realDonaldTrump! Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations. See you very soon in Ahmedabad."
Trump leaves for India
"Entire Gujarat speaks in one voice- #NamasteTrump!"
Three-hour programme at Motera cricket stadium
At the newly built ‘world’s largest cricket stadium’, there will be a three-hour programme, including public interaction and cultural programmes, before and after the President and the Prime Minister’s speeches. Among the cultural programmes will be music performances by top Bollywood singer Kailash Kher and other leading Gujarati singers and performers.
Ahmedabad joint rally with Trump will be historic, says Modi
“India looks forward to welcoming President Donald Trump. It is an honour that he will be with us tomorrow, starting with the historic programme in Ahmedabad,” said Mr. Modi in a tweet on Sunday.
(With inputs from PTI)