Donald Trump was in India on 24 & 25/2/2020. The visit began in Ahmedabad, continued in Agra and ended in Delhi.
Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, Ahmedabad has become a part of itinerary for visiting Heads of States and Governments. So it was with President of USA. The plane carrying him landed at Ahmedabad airport around 11.45 am on 24th February. He had red carpet welcome. Modi was there. As Trump walked on the red carpet there were traditional dances on both sides.
Trump was taken to Sabarmati Ashram and then to rebuilt Motera Stadium. Modi praised Trump. Trump praised Modi. Trump had attended Modi’s rally at Houston. Modi returned the favour by having a rally for Trump.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump went to Agra and had their photograph in front of Taj Mahal. Years back Trump had Trump Taj Mahal built in Atlantic City which was opened on 2/4/1990. He had called it eighth wonder of the world. It was a casino and a hotel. Trump Entertainment Resorts Trump Taj Mahal. It filed for bankruptcy on 10/9/2014. In February 2016 it exited bankruptcy and became a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises. Donald Trump was no longer the owner. Trump Taj Mahal was shut down on 10/10/2016 and re-opened as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on 28/6/2018.
On 25th morning Trump was welcomed at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He had a meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House and met Indian businessmen at American Embassy.
Trump and Modi had a Press Conference. About religious freedom Trump said “We talked about religious liberty for a long period of time in front of a lot of people. I had a very very powerful answer I think.” About CAA he said “I don’t want to discuss that. I want to leave that to India. I hope they will do the right thing for the people of India.”
Trade was an important issue. Trump wants India to lower tariffs. He wants to bridge trade deficit with India. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said there will be Free Trade Agreement negotiations between USA and India. Lowering tariffs on American goods will be opposed by many Indian businessmen. Not lowering tariffs will result on higher tariffs on Indian exports to USA. That can result in a trade war. Most probably trade talks will drag on for years.
Trump announced a helicopter deal. India will buy 24 MH-60 Romeo Sea Hawk and 6 AH-64E Apache helicopters for 3 billion dollars.
Indo-US Joint Statement mentioned Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement, Blue Dot network, Afghanistan, Nuclear Suppliers Group, trade and terror groups.
Melania visited Sarvodaya Co-educational Senior Secondary School and attended happiness class for Class V A. Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia were in the original list to accompany her. Their names were deleted by American Embassy stating that it does not want the event to be political.
At night there was banquet for Trump at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Ram Nath Kovind was the host. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Modi, some cabinet ministers and some others attended. Four chief ministers – B. S. Yediyurappa, Sarbananda Sonowal, Manohar Lal Khattar and K. Chandrasekhara Rao were present. Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury skipped banquet because Sonia Gandhi was not invited.
Trump left Delhi and India around 10.45 p.m. on 25/2/2020.
