A history has been created today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday, while welcoming his 'friend' US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania to India.
Addressing the 'Namaste Trump' mega-event at the world's largest cricket stadium, the PM said, "I think today we can see history being repeated. Five months back I started my US trip with 'Howdy Modi' and today my friend President Donald Trump is starting his Indian trip with 'Namaste Trump' here in Ahmedabad." "You are heartily welcome in the largest democracy of the world. This is Gujarat but the entire country is enthusiastic in welcoming you," he added.
Modi said that the meaning of the name of this event -- 'Namaste' is very deep. "This is a word from the oldest languages of the world - Sanskrit. It means that we pay respect to not only to the person but also to the divinity inside him," Modi said.
The bonhomie between the two world leaders was displayed once again when Modi hugged Trump at the stadium.
The 'Namaste Trump' event is based on the lines of 'Howdy Modi' programme that was addressed by Narendra Modi and Trump during the PM’s trip to Houston last September.
Around one lakh people gathered for the event.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Governor Acharya Devvrat and Board of Control for Cricket president Sourav Ganguly was also present at the stadium.
US President Donald Trump on Monday asserted that relations with India hold a special place for his country, saying that America "loves" and is "loyal" to India.
Addressing the 'Namaste Trump' event at the Motera Stadium, Trump also announced that the US will seal defence deals worth $3 billion on Tuesday. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding delegation-level official talks on Tuesday in New Delhi.
The US president also heaped praises on Modi as he described him as an "exceptional leader" who works day and night for India.
Modi is a "living proof" of what an Indian can achieve with hard work as Trump referred to his humble background as a tea-seller, who had a landslide win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
As the world's largest economy, India gives hope to all humanity and has become an economic giant, Trump said.
"Namaste, it is a great honour for me to be here," the US president said, describing India as an amazing nation.
"There is a difference between a nation that rises by coercion and one that rises by setting its people free -- that is India. India and the US have natural and enduring friendship," he said.
Trump also touched on India's cultural diversity and riches as he highlighted the success of its blockbuster movies like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Sholay, and its sporting icons like Sachin Tedulkar and Virat Kohli.
He highlighted the boom in the US economy under his presidency and added that India will soon be home to the biggest middle class as it will eliminate extreme poverty in in next 10 years.
At the end of his address, Trump said, "God bless India, God bless the United States of America. We love you India, we love you very much!"
-- With inputs from ANI