Ahmedabad: India and the US are committed to defend their people from radical islamic terrorism, resolved to significantly expand defence ties and are working on a "fantastic" trade deal, said US President Donald Trump on Monday while asserting that his country "loves" and is "loyal" to India.
Addressing a huge crowd at 'Namaste Trump' event at the Motera stadium here, the US president, accompanied by his wife Melania and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, talked about India's great tradition of embracing individual freedom, rule of law, dignity of every human being and where people worship side-by-side in harmony.
On his maiden visit, Trump, who was welcomed by Modi on his arrival here, said his country will remain a "loyal" friend of India and called the Prime Minister an "exceptional leader" who works day and night for the country.
"India and the US are committed to fight terrorists and their ideology; that is why my government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups," Trump said in the presence of his family --daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner-- and top brass of his administration.
"The US will always be faithful and loyal friend of India. Thank you for the spectacular welcome," he added.
He also announced that the two countries will firm up defence deals worth USD 3 billion on Tuesday and that the US will become India's premier defence partner.
"India and US have natural and enduring friendship," Trump said to a cheering crowd.
"We are quickly revitalising our alliances all around world," he said.
Trump said both countries are working on a "fantastic trade" deal, and observed that Modi is a "tough negotiator".
The US president also heaped praises on Modi, saying the Prime Minister is a "living proof" of what an Indian can achieve with hard work as Trump referred to his humble background as a tea-seller, who had a landslide win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
On his part, Modi welcomed Trump to "world's largest democracy" and said a "new history" was being created.
Modi also praised Trump's leadership in containing terrorism.
Trump said as the world's largest economy, India gives hope to all humanity and has become an economic giant.
"There is a difference between a nation that rises by coercion and one that rises by setting its people free -- that is India. India and the US have natural and enduring friendship," he said.
He also touched on India's cultural diversity and riches as he highlighted the success of its blockbuster movies like DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) and Sholay, and its sporting icons like Sachin Tedulkar and Virat Kohli.
He highlighted the boom in the US economy under his presidency and added that India will soon be home to the biggest middle class as it will eliminate extreme poverty in in next 10 years.
On his part, Modi said ties between India and the US are no longer just another partnership but have touched far greater heights.
Welcoming Trump, he said a "new history" is being created.
Visit of President Trump to India with his family shows strong ties between India and the US, said Modi.
Trump praises 'great friend' Modi
Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram, which was home to Mahatma Gandhi between 1917 and 1930 during India's freedom struggle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached the Ashram a few minutes earlier, showed Trump and the US First Lady 'Hriday Kunj', a room inside the Ashram where Gandhiji and his wife Kasturba lived.
Modi explained the importance of this place in India's freedom struggle.
During the visit, Trump and Melania also tried their hands on the khadi spinning wheel, also knwon as charkha. Melania also helped Trump in weaving khadi on charkha.
Before leaving, Trump wrote a message in the visitors' book of the Ashram.
"To my great friend Prime Minister Modi - Thank you for this wonderful visit," wrote Trump and signed the message. It was also signed by Melania.
The Trumps were in the Ashram for around 15 minutes.
Modi also presented "Three Wise Monkeys," a larger version of one belonging to Mahatma Gandhi, as a memento to the US president.
Trump and Modi then resumed their roadshow till Motera stadium.
Ashram trustee Kartikeya Sarabhai, who welcomed Trump and Melania with a khadi stole, told reporters later that the Trumps told him how much they enjoyed their visit to the Ashram.
"They said the place gave them a sense of peace. They said they understood the symbolism of this place. The Central government gifted them a statue of Gandhiji's Three Monkeys, conveying the message of speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil," Sarabhai said.
He said the Ashram trust gifted the Tumps a special edition of Gandhiji's autobiography, a pencil drawing of Gandhiji and a charkha.
Thousands line up to greet Trump
Earlier, the US President along with his wife and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a 22-km- long roadshow from the Ahmedabad International Airport.
Trump, who is on a two-day India visit, landed at the Airport at 11.37 am.
Modi, who reached Ahmedabad over an hour before Trump landed here, received Trump and his wife Melania upon their arrival. Trump and Modi began their roadshow from the airport.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has left no stone unturned to make the roadshow a memorable experience for the dignitaries as well as the people.
Waving Indian and US flags and shouting slogans, thousands of people lined up the 22-km-long roadshow route US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania took to reach Motera stadium for the 'Namaste Trump' event.
Many people, including students, from Ahmedabad and different parts of Gujarat arrived here since morning for the spectacle of the "India Road Show" as troupes showed cultural performances.
Many were left disappointed after being refused entry to the Motera stadium for want of passes. But they took solace in standing along the road to catch a glimpse of the leaders.
Authorities had earlier said over one lakh people were expected to line up along the roadshow route.
Artistes from almost all states performed during the roadshow. Separate stages for each state were erected at regular distance on the route, starting from the airport till Motera stadium via Indira bridge.
Wearing traditional costumes, artistes from different states performed on these 30-odd stages and greeted the VVIPs when they passed from the route.
People gathered around screens placed at various locations on roadshow route to watch live streaming of the Namaste Trump event.
Despite sweltering heat, people gathered in large numbers along the roadshow route, wearing white caps with "Trump India Roadshow" and pictures of India and US flags on them. These caps and flags and breakfast were distributed to them along the route.
(With PTI inputs)
