Foreign Secretary Harshvardhan Shringla on Wednesday said that US President Donald Trump and his delegation will be treated with India’s rich and varied cultural heritage during his visit to Ahmedabad.
Trump, along with wife Melania Trump and a high-level delegation, will arrive in Ahmedabad on February 24 at noon for a short journey of about 36 hours. From Ahmedabad, he will travel to Agra before reaching the national capital for the main leg of the journey.
In Ahmedabad, President Trump will address the ‘Namaste Trump’ event jointly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the newly constructed Motera Cricket Stadium.
Advertisement
“It will be like Landmark ‘Howdy, Modi!” An event organized by the Indian-American community in honor of Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Houston in September 2019, which was attended by President Trump, ”Shringla said while briefing reporters on the visit.
He said that thousands of citizens, as well as performers from various states and union territories, are expected to perform en route to Trump’s visit to the stadium.
Shringla said that 28 stages representing different parts of the country are being set up along the route, which is being called the India India Show.
The Foreign Secretary said, “The route will also have a decoration depicting various events of Gandhiji’s life, whose association with the city is very famous.”
He said that Trump and Modi would address a full-capacity audience, which would include people from different parts of India and from all walks of life from different parts of the country.
Advertisement
After the program, the US president and first lady will visit Agra, where they will spend about an hour in the Taj Mahal before sunset, according to Shringla.
President Trump will then leave for Delhi.
On the morning of February 25, Trump and the First Lady will receive a formal reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
From there he will visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Samadhi’.
This will be followed by restricted and delegation-level talks between Trump and Modi at Hyderabad House.
Advertisement
“The talks will be comprehensive and will cover issues related to our strategic partnership in defense, security, counter-terrorism, as well as trade, energy, people-to-people exchanges, and other bilateral matters,” Shringla said.
He said that the two leaders will exchange views on regional and global issues of common interest.
Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch for the US President after the talks.
In the afternoon, Trump is expected to attend some private events at the US Embassy, including a private roundtable with industry representatives.
Advertisement
In the evening, the US President will meet with President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A banquet will be hosted by Kovind. President Trump will leave India later that evening, Shringla said.
“President Trump’s visit will be brief and intense, with all essential elements of the state visit and two additional legs in Ahmedabad and Agra, all squeezed out in under 36 hours,” he said.
He said that relations between India and the US have developed into one of the “most consequential” relationships today and there is an unprecedented convergence of interests of the two countries.
Advertisement
Shringla said, “It is a strategic partnership based on shared values and is moving towards the 21st century. Whether it is combating terrorism or ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, the interests of India and the United States are There is unprecedented convergence. “