15:18 February 24
"India doesn't only have the biggest cricket stadium, but also the largest health insurance scheme in the world. Today India is not just creating a world record of sending the most satellites at once, but also the world record of the quickest financial inclusion," PM Modi said.
15:12 February 24
At the end of his speech, US President Donald Trump thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said "God bless India, God bless America, we love you."
14:53 February 24
"Both countries are united in defending citizens from threat of radical Islamic terrorism. Under my administration we unleashed full power of American military on bloodthirsty killers of ISIS. Today ISIS territorial caliphate is 100 per cent destroyed. Monster Al Baghdadi is dead," Trump said.
14:53 February 24
"We are working with Pakistan to crack down on terror and working on the terror issue on the borders. We have great relations with Pakistan and with these relations we hope we will be able to reduce tensions between the countries," Trump said.
14:30 February 24
"As we continue to build our defence cooperation, the US looks forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet. We make the greatest weapons ever made. We make the best and we are dealing now with India," Trump said.
"I am pleased to announce that tomorrow our representatives will sign deals to sell over US$ 3 Billion, in the absolute finest state of the art military helicopters and other equipment to the Indian armed forces," he added.
14:30 February 24
"All over the planet people take great joy in watching Bollywood films, bhangra, and classic films like DDLJ and Sholay. You cheer on great cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli," Trump said.
14:15 February 24
"We will always remember this remarkable hospitality. India will hold a special place in our hearts. PM Modi started out as 'tea wallah', he worked as a tea seller. Everybody loves him but I will tell you this, he is very tough," Trump said.
"PM Modi you are not just the pride of Gujarat, you are living proof that with hard work and devotion, Indians can accomplish anything at all, anything they want. The Prime Minister is a moving story of an incredible rise," he added.
14:14 February 24
Beginning his address, US President Donald Trump said, "America loves India, America respects India and America will always be a faithful and loyal friend to the Indian people."
"Five months ago the United States welcomed your great Prime Minister at a giant football stadium in Texas and today India welcomes us at the world's largest cricket stadium right here in Ahmedabad,' he added.
14:04 February 24
"India-US relations are no longer just another partnership. It is a far greater and closer relationship. One is 'land of the free' the other believes the world is one family. One feels proud of 'statue of liberty' the other feels proud of 'statue of unity'," PM Modi said.
"There is so much that we share, like shared values and ideals, a shared spirit of enterprise and innovation. Shared opportunities and challenges, shared hopes and aspirations," he added.
13:51 February 24
Addressing the 'Namaste Trump' event, PM Modi said, "I think today we can see history being repeated. 5 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.
13:47 February 24
US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi were welcomed by a 1.1 lakh-strong crowd at the Motera stadium.
13:23 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, and the First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad for the 'Namaste Trump' event. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Vijay Rupani and Governor Acharya Devvrat are also present at the Stadium.
13:19 February 24
In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!! #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/EwFm3hZjgc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Scavino45) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!! #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/EwFm3hZjgc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Scavino45) February 24, 2020
In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!! #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/EwFm3hZjgc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Scavino45) February 24, 2020
Dan Scavino, assistant to US President Donald Trump and director of social media for the White House, tweeted pictures of the people lining up the streets of Ahmedabad.
"In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!!" he wrote.
13:12 February 24
Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/9VyxlynZWU
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/9VyxlynZWU
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2020
Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/9VyxlynZWU
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2020
"Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.
12:57 February 24
US President Donald Trump wrote a message in the visitors' book at the Sabarmati Ashram. "To my great friend Prime Minister Naredra Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit," Trump wrote.
12:53 February 24
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and PM Modi have left Sabarmati Ashram for the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
12:44 February 24
As Donald Trump reached Ahmedabad on his first visit to India, have a look at ETV Bharat's take on the much-awaited visit.
12:30 February 24
US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Monday tried their hands at spinning the 'charkha' (spinning wheel) at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Accompanied by PM Narendra Modi, the US president and his wife went around the Ashram, before resuming the roadshow from the airport to the Motera stadium. The US President was briefed about Gandhiji and the importance of charkha as a symbol of self-reliance.
12:29 February 24
Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Tweeting pictures of him receiving the Trumps, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "Welcome to India, @realdonaldtrump"
12:07 February 24
US President Donald Trump and PM Modi have left for Sabarmati Ashram from the airport. The duo embarked on a 22-km-long roadshow from the Ahmedabad International Airport.
11:58 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed US President Donald Trump and his wife
Melania at the Ahmedabad Airport. PM Modi hugged Trump after the US president
stepped out of the aircraft.Trump, who is on his maiden visit to India, is accompanied by daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration
11:40 February 24
Air Force One plane carrying US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at 11.37 am.
11:39 February 24
The Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, has been almost filled to capacity ahead of the 'Namaste Trump' event. The stadium, with a capacity of 1.1 lakh spectators is the world's second largest.
11:27 February 24
Responding to US President Donald Trump's tweet in Hindi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is equivalent to God)"
11:10 February 24
BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah arrive at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, ahead of 'Namaste Trump' event at the stadium.
10:23 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the Ahmedabad Airport. He will hold a roadshow with US President Donald Trump later in the day.
"PM @narendramodi landed in Ahmedabad. In a short while from now, @POTUS
will be landing in Ahmedabad. India looks forward to welcoming him and other distinguished guests from USA," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.
10:19 February 24
हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020
हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020
Just hours ahead of his scheduled landing in India, US President Donald Trump tweeted in Hindi.
"Hum Bharat aane ke liye tatpar hain. hum raste mein hain, kuch hee ghanton mein hum sabse milenge (We look forward to coming to India. We are on the way, and will meet everyone in a few hours)," he wrote.
10:13 February 24
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the fact that US President Donald Trump is landing first in Gujarat, shows that the state is a model for other Indian states to follow and has also become the growth-engine of the region.
09:51 February 24
Students of Sola Bhagwat school stand near Sabaramti Ashram in Ahmedabad, with the national flags of India and the US, to welcome US President Donald Trump, the First Lady Melania Trump and other dignitaries who will visit the Ashram today.
09:43 February 24
Hours before the visit of US President Donald Trump to Agra on Monday, the entry to the Taj Mahal will be closed to visitors in view of high security arrangements, top officials said.
"People can visit the Taj in the morning but tickets will be issued till 11:30 am, and by noon or so the premises will be cleared of visitors in view of the high security arrangements for President Trump's visit," Agra DM Prabhu N Singh said.
Trump is scheduled to arrive at the Taj Mahal complex at 5:15 pm and will spend about an hour at the famed 17th century mausoleum.
09:34 February 24
Visitors have now begun entering the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, where US President Donald Trump will attend the 'Namaste Trump' event later today.
09:23 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Ahmedabad, where he will hold a roadshow along with US President Donald Trump and participate in 'Namaste Trump' event at Motera Stadium later today.
09:22 February 24
With US President Donald Trump scheduled to land at Ahmedabad in a few hours, security has been heightened at the city's airport, with intensive security checks currently going on.
09:05 February 24
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. https://t.co/dNPInPg03i
">India awaits your arrival @POTUS @realDonaldTrump!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations.
See you very soon in Ahmedabad. https://t.co/dNPInPg03i
India awaits your arrival @POTUS @realDonaldTrump!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations.
See you very soon in Ahmedabad. https://t.co/dNPInPg03i
Responding to Donald Trump's tweet announcing his departure for India, PM Modi wrote, "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."
08:42 February 24
Garba dancers perform in Ahmedabad
A group of Garba dancers perform at the Airport Circle in Ahmedabad. The group is one of the artists who will perform during the road show of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump today.
08:16 February 24
Security tightened in Ahmedabad ahead of US President's visit
Security tightened outside Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, sniffer dog of the US security also present. US President Donald Trump will visit the Ashram today upon his arrival to the city.
08:13 February 24
Motera Stadium ready to welcome US President, First Lady
Gujarat: Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is ready to welcome US President Donald Trump for the Namaste Trump event here. He is arriving today, along with the First Lady and a high-level delegation.
PM Modi will hold a roadshow along with him and participate in the event at the stadium.
08:12 February 24
PM Modi to leave for Ahmedabad shortly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leave for Ahmedabad shortly, where he will hold a roadshow along with US President Donald Trump & participate in 'Namaste Trump' event at Motera stadium.
President Trump will be arriving in India along with a high-level delegation today.
07:12 February 24
New Delhi: United States President Donald Trump will begin his maiden official two-day state visit to India on Monday, becoming the seventh American President to visit the country.
Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and a twelve-member delegation comprising US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette among others.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India looks forward to welcoming the US President and that it is an honour that "he will be with us tomorrow, starting with the historic programme in Ahmedabad!"
"Look so forward to being with my great friends in INDIA!" Trump had tweeted on Sunday, quoting a morphed video showing him as the protagonist of hit Bollywood film 'Bahubali'.
The visiting dignitary will reach Ahmedabad around Monday noon and after a visit to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram will address a mammoth crowd of more than 100,000 people at an event titled 'Namaste Trump' at the Motera Stadium in the city.
Read:| The Indispensable Indo-US partnership
The event will be based on the lines of 'Howdy Modi' function that was addressed by the US President and Prime Minister Modi in Houston in September, last year.
Security has been tightened across Ahmedabad ahead of Trump's visit.
"A lot of people are expected to line the roads to welcome President Donald Trump. Security has been tightened not only in the stadium but also along the entire route from where the convoy of President Trump and Narendra Modi is scheduled to pass," said Crime Branch Special Commissioner of Police Ajay Tomar.
From Ahmedabad, the US President and the First Lady will make a brief stop at the Agra where they will visit the Taj Mahal, before arriving at the national capital for the main leg of the 36-hour long trip.
On the morning of February 25, the US President will first receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan as per protocol. From there, he will go to Rajghat to pay homage at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.
This will be followed by both, restricted, and delegation-level talks between Trump and Modi at the Hyderabad House in the national capital.
The other nine members of the delegation companying Trump are: His daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump, son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino, First Lady Melania Trump's chief of staff Lindsay Reynolds, White House advisor Robert Blair and White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.
Read:| Trump India Visit: Know all about 'Air Force One' and 'The Beast'
The participants at the bilateral meetings will be: Adam S Boehler, the chief executive of the US International Development Finance Corporation, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, Lisa Curtis, the senior director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council, and Kash Patel, a former top National Security Council official.
After official meetings, Trump and his wife will have a lavish lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi. From there, the US President will reach the ITC Maurya Hotel where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu are expected to call on him.
Trump will leave for the United States by his special flight on the night of February 25.
Trade Talks
Among the key elements of the visit would be the trade talks between the United States and India. While answering a question on India-US Trade deal during the weekly press briefing on Thursday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said that New Delhi has been engaging with Washington for quite some time, and hopes to reach an understanding with an outcome that strikes the right balance for both sides.
"We do not like to rush into a deal as issues involved are complicated. We do not want to create an artificial deadline. For us, the interest of people are paramount," Kumar had said.
Kumar's remarks had come after Trump had said that India has not treated his country very well on the trade front and that a "very big" bilateral trade deal with New Delhi may not be signed before US Presidential election later this year.
"We can have a trade deal with India, but I am really saving the big deal for later, maybe before elections. But we will have a very big deal with India," Trump said while talking to reporters.
Read:| India, US to ink key defence deal during Trump's visit
Tensions on the trade front between the two countries had emerged in June, last year, after Trump revoked preferential trade privileges, in response to which India imposed tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds and apples. Despite several meetings held over the past 18 months in Washington DC, New Delhi, and New York, trade negotiators of the two countries are yet to finalise on a deal.
Responding to a question on the issue, a senior Trump Administration official last week said that India's protectionist policy has remained a concern for the United States with respect to the trade deal between the two countries, and that the 'Make in India' campaign makes the discussion on trade difficult.
On being asked about the restoration of India's participation in the Generalized System of Preferences, the official said, "The concerns that led to the revocation, suspension of India's GSP access remains a concern for us. And to remind those on the call it was really the failure of the Indian government to provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets in numerous sectors."
Agreements
The MEA spokesperson had informed that New Delhi and Washington are eyeing around five Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in the areas of intellectual property, trade facilitation, and homeland security, among others.
"We are also looking at a joint statement which will basically capture the essence of the partnership between the two countries. I will not go into the details of the MoUs, I will see if I can, maybe, give you some topics on which MoUs are expected, we are looking at MoUs in the areas of intellectual property for example, in the area of trade facilitation, in the area of homeland security. These are works in progress and we will have a much clearer picture closer to the date," Kumar had said.
Regarding the H1B visa issue, he had said, "We have remained engaged with administration and US Congress on the movement of Indian professionals. The matter is very important to us. We do not expect that the movement of Indian professionals is part of the agenda that could come up for discussions."
Read:| US Secret Service: Shielding the President
Responding to a question on the areas of focus, a senior Trump Administration official had said that the visit would focus on enhancing economic, energy, defence and security cooperation between the two countries.
"The U.S. wants an India that is strong, with a capable military that supports peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, India is a pillar of our Indo-Pacific strategy, and we continue to work together to promote this vision of a free and open an international system based on market economics, good governance, freedom of the seas and skies, and respect for sovereignty," the official said.
"And our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific really goes to the heart of what binds our two countries together, and this is our shared democratic systems that place a premium on citizen-centric governments. In fact, India has a strong foundation of democracy, going back to the early days, right after independence. India is a country rich in religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity. In fact, it's the birthplace of four major world religions," the official added.
A day prior to Kumar's briefing on the areas of focus, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said that the two counties will hold talks in areas of defence, counter-terrorism, people to people contact, energy and regional issues, adding that it is an opportunity for both the countries to deepen their strategic partnership and a forward-looking relationship.
Inputs from ANI
15:18 February 24
"India doesn't only have the biggest cricket stadium, but also the largest health insurance scheme in the world. Today India is not just creating a world record of sending the most satellites at once, but also the world record of the quickest financial inclusion," PM Modi said.
15:12 February 24
At the end of his speech, US President Donald Trump thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said "God bless India, God bless America, we love you."
14:53 February 24
"Both countries are united in defending citizens from threat of radical Islamic terrorism. Under my administration we unleashed full power of American military on bloodthirsty killers of ISIS. Today ISIS territorial caliphate is 100 per cent destroyed. Monster Al Baghdadi is dead," Trump said.
14:53 February 24
"We are working with Pakistan to crack down on terror and working on the terror issue on the borders. We have great relations with Pakistan and with these relations we hope we will be able to reduce tensions between the countries," Trump said.
14:30 February 24
"As we continue to build our defence cooperation, the US looks forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet. We make the greatest weapons ever made. We make the best and we are dealing now with India," Trump said.
"I am pleased to announce that tomorrow our representatives will sign deals to sell over US$ 3 Billion, in the absolute finest state of the art military helicopters and other equipment to the Indian armed forces," he added.
14:30 February 24
"All over the planet people take great joy in watching Bollywood films, bhangra, and classic films like DDLJ and Sholay. You cheer on great cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli," Trump said.
14:15 February 24
"We will always remember this remarkable hospitality. India will hold a special place in our hearts. PM Modi started out as 'tea wallah', he worked as a tea seller. Everybody loves him but I will tell you this, he is very tough," Trump said.
"PM Modi you are not just the pride of Gujarat, you are living proof that with hard work and devotion, Indians can accomplish anything at all, anything they want. The Prime Minister is a moving story of an incredible rise," he added.
14:14 February 24
Beginning his address, US President Donald Trump said, "America loves India, America respects India and America will always be a faithful and loyal friend to the Indian people."
"Five months ago the United States welcomed your great Prime Minister at a giant football stadium in Texas and today India welcomes us at the world's largest cricket stadium right here in Ahmedabad,' he added.
14:04 February 24
"India-US relations are no longer just another partnership. It is a far greater and closer relationship. One is 'land of the free' the other believes the world is one family. One feels proud of 'statue of liberty' the other feels proud of 'statue of unity'," PM Modi said.
"There is so much that we share, like shared values and ideals, a shared spirit of enterprise and innovation. Shared opportunities and challenges, shared hopes and aspirations," he added.
13:51 February 24
Addressing the 'Namaste Trump' event, PM Modi said, "I think today we can see history being repeated. 5 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.
13:47 February 24
US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi were welcomed by a 1.1 lakh-strong crowd at the Motera stadium.
13:23 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, and the First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad for the 'Namaste Trump' event. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Vijay Rupani and Governor Acharya Devvrat are also present at the Stadium.
13:19 February 24
In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!! #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/EwFm3hZjgc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Scavino45) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!! #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/EwFm3hZjgc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Scavino45) February 24, 2020
In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!! #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/EwFm3hZjgc
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Scavino45) February 24, 2020
Dan Scavino, assistant to US President Donald Trump and director of social media for the White House, tweeted pictures of the people lining up the streets of Ahmedabad.
"In motorcade en route to the stadium. I’ve never seen anything like this. Unbelievable!!!!" he wrote.
13:12 February 24
Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/9VyxlynZWU
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/9VyxlynZWU
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2020
Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump #NamasteTrump pic.twitter.com/9VyxlynZWU
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2020
"Electric Atmosphere at Motera Stadium as people eagerly wait to welcome President @realDonaldTrump," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.
12:57 February 24
US President Donald Trump wrote a message in the visitors' book at the Sabarmati Ashram. "To my great friend Prime Minister Naredra Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit," Trump wrote.
12:53 February 24
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and PM Modi have left Sabarmati Ashram for the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
12:44 February 24
As Donald Trump reached Ahmedabad on his first visit to India, have a look at ETV Bharat's take on the much-awaited visit.
12:30 February 24
US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Monday tried their hands at spinning the 'charkha' (spinning wheel) at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Accompanied by PM Narendra Modi, the US president and his wife went around the Ashram, before resuming the roadshow from the airport to the Motera stadium. The US President was briefed about Gandhiji and the importance of charkha as a symbol of self-reliance.
12:29 February 24
Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Tweeting pictures of him receiving the Trumps, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "Welcome to India, @realdonaldtrump"
12:07 February 24
US President Donald Trump and PM Modi have left for Sabarmati Ashram from the airport. The duo embarked on a 22-km-long roadshow from the Ahmedabad International Airport.
11:58 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed US President Donald Trump and his wife
Melania at the Ahmedabad Airport. PM Modi hugged Trump after the US president
stepped out of the aircraft.Trump, who is on his maiden visit to India, is accompanied by daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration
11:40 February 24
Air Force One plane carrying US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at 11.37 am.
11:39 February 24
The Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, has been almost filled to capacity ahead of the 'Namaste Trump' event. The stadium, with a capacity of 1.1 lakh spectators is the world's second largest.
11:27 February 24
Responding to US President Donald Trump's tweet in Hindi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is equivalent to God)"
11:10 February 24
BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah arrive at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, ahead of 'Namaste Trump' event at the stadium.
10:23 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the Ahmedabad Airport. He will hold a roadshow with US President Donald Trump later in the day.
"PM @narendramodi landed in Ahmedabad. In a short while from now, @POTUS
will be landing in Ahmedabad. India looks forward to welcoming him and other distinguished guests from USA," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.
10:19 February 24
हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="">हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020
हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020
Just hours ahead of his scheduled landing in India, US President Donald Trump tweeted in Hindi.
"Hum Bharat aane ke liye tatpar hain. hum raste mein hain, kuch hee ghanton mein hum sabse milenge (We look forward to coming to India. We are on the way, and will meet everyone in a few hours)," he wrote.
10:13 February 24
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the fact that US President Donald Trump is landing first in Gujarat, shows that the state is a model for other Indian states to follow and has also become the growth-engine of the region.
09:51 February 24
Students of Sola Bhagwat school stand near Sabaramti Ashram in Ahmedabad, with the national flags of India and the US, to welcome US President Donald Trump, the First Lady Melania Trump and other dignitaries who will visit the Ashram today.
09:43 February 24
Hours before the visit of US President Donald Trump to Agra on Monday, the entry to the Taj Mahal will be closed to visitors in view of high security arrangements, top officials said.
"People can visit the Taj in the morning but tickets will be issued till 11:30 am, and by noon or so the premises will be cleared of visitors in view of the high security arrangements for President Trump's visit," Agra DM Prabhu N Singh said.
Trump is scheduled to arrive at the Taj Mahal complex at 5:15 pm and will spend about an hour at the famed 17th century mausoleum.
09:34 February 24
Visitors have now begun entering the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, where US President Donald Trump will attend the 'Namaste Trump' event later today.
09:23 February 24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Ahmedabad, where he will hold a roadshow along with US President Donald Trump and participate in 'Namaste Trump' event at Motera Stadium later today.
09:22 February 24
With US President Donald Trump scheduled to land at Ahmedabad in a few hours, security has been heightened at the city's airport, with intensive security checks currently going on.
09:05 February 24
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. https://t.co/dNPInPg03i
">India awaits your arrival @POTUS @realDonaldTrump!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations.
See you very soon in Ahmedabad. https://t.co/dNPInPg03i
India awaits your arrival @POTUS @realDonaldTrump!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020
Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations.
See you very soon in Ahmedabad. https://t.co/dNPInPg03i
Responding to Donald Trump's tweet announcing his departure for India, PM Modi wrote, "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."
08:42 February 24
Garba dancers perform in Ahmedabad
A group of Garba dancers perform at the Airport Circle in Ahmedabad. The group is one of the artists who will perform during the road show of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump today.
08:16 February 24
Security tightened in Ahmedabad ahead of US President's visit
Security tightened outside Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, sniffer dog of the US security also present. US President Donald Trump will visit the Ashram today upon his arrival to the city.
08:13 February 24
Motera Stadium ready to welcome US President, First Lady
Gujarat: Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is ready to welcome US President Donald Trump for the Namaste Trump event here. He is arriving today, along with the First Lady and a high-level delegation.
PM Modi will hold a roadshow along with him and participate in the event at the stadium.
08:12 February 24
PM Modi to leave for Ahmedabad shortly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leave for Ahmedabad shortly, where he will hold a roadshow along with US President Donald Trump & participate in 'Namaste Trump' event at Motera stadium.
President Trump will be arriving in India along with a high-level delegation today.
07:12 February 24
New Delhi: United States President Donald Trump will begin his maiden official two-day state visit to India on Monday, becoming the seventh American President to visit the country.
Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and a twelve-member delegation comprising US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette among others.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India looks forward to welcoming the US President and that it is an honour that "he will be with us tomorrow, starting with the historic programme in Ahmedabad!"
"Look so forward to being with my great friends in INDIA!" Trump had tweeted on Sunday, quoting a morphed video showing him as the protagonist of hit Bollywood film 'Bahubali'.
The visiting dignitary will reach Ahmedabad around Monday noon and after a visit to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram will address a mammoth crowd of more than 100,000 people at an event titled 'Namaste Trump' at the Motera Stadium in the city.
Read:| The Indispensable Indo-US partnership
The event will be based on the lines of 'Howdy Modi' function that was addressed by the US President and Prime Minister Modi in Houston in September, last year.
Security has been tightened across Ahmedabad ahead of Trump's visit.
"A lot of people are expected to line the roads to welcome President Donald Trump. Security has been tightened not only in the stadium but also along the entire route from where the convoy of President Trump and Narendra Modi is scheduled to pass," said Crime Branch Special Commissioner of Police Ajay Tomar.
From Ahmedabad, the US President and the First Lady will make a brief stop at the Agra where they will visit the Taj Mahal, before arriving at the national capital for the main leg of the 36-hour long trip.
On the morning of February 25, the US President will first receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan as per protocol. From there, he will go to Rajghat to pay homage at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.
This will be followed by both, restricted, and delegation-level talks between Trump and Modi at the Hyderabad House in the national capital.
The other nine members of the delegation companying Trump are: His daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump, son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino, First Lady Melania Trump's chief of staff Lindsay Reynolds, White House advisor Robert Blair and White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.
Read:| Trump India Visit: Know all about 'Air Force One' and 'The Beast'
The participants at the bilateral meetings will be: Adam S Boehler, the chief executive of the US International Development Finance Corporation, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, Lisa Curtis, the senior director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council, and Kash Patel, a former top National Security Council official.
After official meetings, Trump and his wife will have a lavish lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi. From there, the US President will reach the ITC Maurya Hotel where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu are expected to call on him.
Trump will leave for the United States by his special flight on the night of February 25.
Trade Talks
Among the key elements of the visit would be the trade talks between the United States and India. While answering a question on India-US Trade deal during the weekly press briefing on Thursday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said that New Delhi has been engaging with Washington for quite some time, and hopes to reach an understanding with an outcome that strikes the right balance for both sides.
"We do not like to rush into a deal as issues involved are complicated. We do not want to create an artificial deadline. For us, the interest of people are paramount," Kumar had said.
Kumar's remarks had come after Trump had said that India has not treated his country very well on the trade front and that a "very big" bilateral trade deal with New Delhi may not be signed before US Presidential election later this year.
"We can have a trade deal with India, but I am really saving the big deal for later, maybe before elections. But we will have a very big deal with India," Trump said while talking to reporters.
Read:| India, US to ink key defence deal during Trump's visit
Tensions on the trade front between the two countries had emerged in June, last year, after Trump revoked preferential trade privileges, in response to which India imposed tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds and apples. Despite several meetings held over the past 18 months in Washington DC, New Delhi, and New York, trade negotiators of the two countries are yet to finalise on a deal.
Responding to a question on the issue, a senior Trump Administration official last week said that India's protectionist policy has remained a concern for the United States with respect to the trade deal between the two countries, and that the 'Make in India' campaign makes the discussion on trade difficult.
On being asked about the restoration of India's participation in the Generalized System of Preferences, the official said, "The concerns that led to the revocation, suspension of India's GSP access remains a concern for us. And to remind those on the call it was really the failure of the Indian government to provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets in numerous sectors."
Agreements
The MEA spokesperson had informed that New Delhi and Washington are eyeing around five Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in the areas of intellectual property, trade facilitation, and homeland security, among others.
"We are also looking at a joint statement which will basically capture the essence of the partnership between the two countries. I will not go into the details of the MoUs, I will see if I can, maybe, give you some topics on which MoUs are expected, we are looking at MoUs in the areas of intellectual property for example, in the area of trade facilitation, in the area of homeland security. These are works in progress and we will have a much clearer picture closer to the date," Kumar had said.
Regarding the H1B visa issue, he had said, "We have remained engaged with administration and US Congress on the movement of Indian professionals. The matter is very important to us. We do not expect that the movement of Indian professionals is part of the agenda that could come up for discussions."
Read:| US Secret Service: Shielding the President
Responding to a question on the areas of focus, a senior Trump Administration official had said that the visit would focus on enhancing economic, energy, defence and security cooperation between the two countries.
"The U.S. wants an India that is strong, with a capable military that supports peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, India is a pillar of our Indo-Pacific strategy, and we continue to work together to promote this vision of a free and open an international system based on market economics, good governance, freedom of the seas and skies, and respect for sovereignty," the official said.
"And our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific really goes to the heart of what binds our two countries together, and this is our shared democratic systems that place a premium on citizen-centric governments. In fact, India has a strong foundation of democracy, going back to the early days, right after independence. India is a country rich in religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity. In fact, it's the birthplace of four major world religions," the official added.
A day prior to Kumar's briefing on the areas of focus, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said that the two counties will hold talks in areas of defence, counter-terrorism, people to people contact, energy and regional issues, adding that it is an opportunity for both the countries to deepen their strategic partnership and a forward-looking relationship.
Inputs from ANI
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