Houston: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday introduced US President Donald Trump to the Indian-Americans at the mega ‘Howdy, Modi’ event here as a very ‘‘special person’’ whose presence at the event signals India has a true friend at the White House.
Addressing over 50,000 Indian-Americans at the NRG Stadium, Modi said it was honour and privilege for him to welcome Trump in this magnificent stadium and magnificent gathering.
“Greetings to my fellow Indians in India and around the world. Friends, this morning, we have a very special person with us,” Modi said. “He (Trump) was a household name even before he went to hold the highest seat in the US,’’ he said while greeting the US President.
“From CEO to Commander in Chief, from boardrooms to the Oval office, from studios to the global stage, from politics to the economy and to security, he has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere,” Modi said.
Modi said he met Trump a few times and every time he has been warm, friendly, accessible, energetic and full of wit. “When I met him for the first time, Trump said India has a true friend in the White House. And I can say I had a chance to meet him often and every time I found the friendliness, the warmth and the energy,” he said.
“You can feel the strength and depth of the bonds between our two nations,” Modi said. The Prime Minister said “the people are at the heart of all relationships. From Houston to Hyderabad, from Boston to Bengaluru, from Chicago to Shimla, from Los Angeles to Ludhiana…Trump has already made the American economy strong again,” Modi said, adding, “He has achieved much for the US and for the world.”
US President Donald Trump in response vowed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism and said border security is vital to both America and India as he emphasised on bolstering further the Indo-US security relationship. He said the countries will soon sign several defence deals to bolster their relationship. “We are committed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism,” the US President said.
“India and US also understand that to keep our community safe, we must protect our borders. Border security is vital to the United States. Border Security is vital to India. And we understand that,” Trump said as Prime Minister Modi was seen clapping.