Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the US on September 21 where he will stay till September 23, during which he will take part in the Quad Summit to address the “Summit of the Future” at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Washington: A day after former US President Donald Trump announced his plan to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his New York visit, Trump’s close aide AI Mason spoke about strong relations between the two leaders and called them “strong leaders” who respect each other. He asserted that this meeting in New York will further cement the bond between the two leaders.
In an interview with news agency ANI, AI Mason said that Trump and PM Modi have “warm relations” and shared a “strong bond” when the former was in office. He further stated that Indian-American community members are dedicated supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Recalling past events attended by both leaders, he spoke about the ties between PM Modi and Donald Trump and said, “President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have enjoyed a very warm relations and strong bond between each other while the former president was in office. Both are strong leaders who respect each other. They both are well known for building relationships. The Indian-American community are staunch supporters of Indian Prime Minister Modi.”
“They still recollect Trump’s outreach during his Presidency, to bolster the historic relationship between the United States and India and to reach out to Indian American communities within the United States on a more personal level during his tenure as a president. For example, the Houston event co-headlined by then President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed ‘Howdy Modi’.” Then President Trump followed up this event with an overseas trip to India culminating in a historic rally, once again co-headlined with Modi, termed ‘Namaste Trump’,” he further continued.
He mentioned that the Indian-American community has credited Donald Trump for deepening ties between India and the US. He said, “In many ways, the US-India relationship had never been stronger, and the Indian-American community in the United States largely credit Trump for deepening the ties between the two countries. During Trump’s presidency, one trend became overwhelmingly clear: Indian Americans, perhaps for the first time ever, felt both acknowledged and respected by the president of the United States.
Stressing on Trump’s vision on economy, inflation and border policies, he asserted that Indian-Americans play a crucial role in US presidential polls. He also highlighted the growth of the Indian American community in the US and said “Indian-Americans are a successful business-oriented community, they identify with Trump’s vision on economy, inflation, and open borders policies. The Indian American community has risen to become the richest ethnicity in America, with an average household income of USD 126,891, almost twice the US average of USD 65,315. The 5 million plus Indian American community today is a force to be reckoned with. They are playing a crucial part in 2024 US presidential politics, both in terms of contributions, fund raising, support, and access to both the Republican and Democratic Party. Therefore, a meeting between Trump and PM Modi next week in New York will further cement the bond between Trump and PM Modi.”
Donald Trump praises PM Modi
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the US, former US President Donald Trump called him a “fantastic man” while addressing a campaign event. He said, “He (Modi) happens to be coming to meet me next week, and Modi’s fantastic. I mean, fantastic man. A lot of these leaders are fantastic.”
PM Modi’s New York visit schedule
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the US on September 21 where he will stay till September 23, during which he will take part in the Quad Summit to address the “Summit of the Future” at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On September 21, he will take part in the fourth Quad Leader’s Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, hosted by US President Joe Biden. Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India will host the next Quad Summit in 2025.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs press release, In Quad Summit, the world leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations. On September 22, Prime Minister Modi will address a gathering of the Indian community where he will interact with CEOs of leading US-based companies in order to foster greater collaborations between the two countries.
(With ANI Inputs)