'Howdy Modi': PM says Donald Trump's presence marks a new milestone

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday released a statement prior to his departure to the United States. In the statement, PM Modi said that India is honoured that US President Donald Trump will be gracing the 'Howdy, Modi' event with his presence on September 22 at 10:15 AM (local time) in Texas. Adding that there would be a large community programme at Texas, PM Modi said that the gathering would be a new milestone in India-USA ties.

PM Modi also asserted that it is a great honour for the Indian diaspora and a pleasure for him that Donald Trump will be joining him in addressing the community. PM Modi stated that it this would be US President Trump's maiden appearance in an Indian community event with him, which asserted marks a new milestone in India's outreach to the US.

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PM Modi looks forward to meeting US President Trump

The Prime Minister also expressed excitement over his meeting with the US President in Houston and New York during his trip. He said that the two world leaders will review bilateral relations between India and US in order to bring even more benefits to two nations and its peoples.

"Shared values, convergent interests and complementary strengths provide the foundation for the natural partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies. Working together, we can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world," PM Modi said in his departure statement. 

Interestingly, US President Donald Trump has also hinted that there could be some announcement by him at the mega Howdy, Modi! event in Houston on Sunday.

"Could be. I have a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi", Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

Read PM Modi's full statement here.

PM Modi's US schedule

PM Modi will be in the United States from September 22 to September 27 which traverses from Texas to New York. From engaging with the Indian diaspora and businessmen to addressing the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi will be occupied in important meetings and addresses. Below is a detailed schedule of PM Modi's US visit after the Howdy Modi event on Sunday:

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Howdy Modi!

On Sunday, PM Modi will be addressed the 50,000-strong Indian-American diaspora. The White House had also announced that Donald Trump would join PM Modi at the mega Houston event as a 'special gesture' by the US President. It is for the first time that Trump and PM Modi would share a stage together. The event is the third meeting between the two leaders in three months, after the G-20 summit in Japan in June and the G-7 summit in France last month. It is his first US trip after winning a second term as Prime Minister in May 2019.

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(With PTI inputs)