'India will accord memorable welcome': PM Modi delighted at Donald Trump's upcoming visit

US President Donald Trump is all set to visit India along with First Lady Melania Trump between February 24-25, 2020. The US President will visit Delhi and Gujarat during his visit, with a special trip to inaugurate the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his happiness over the upcoming visit of the POTUS. Modi, who in Trump's own words, shares a good relationship with him also announced that India will accord a memorable welcome to the esteemed guests. 

The Prime Minister further shed light on what we could expect from the US President's upcoming visit to India. He drew commonalities between India's and the US's commitment to democracy and pluralism. A friendship between both the nations termed as 'robust' also has been called by the Prime Minister to augur well for the entire world. 

The US President's visit comes at a time when there have been some issues between both the nations regarding trade. The upcoming visit will likely see a trade deal being signed between the 'good friends'. The US, which is also currently engaged in a trade war with China, signed a trade deal with Beijing last month.

Earlier, Trump, responding to a question on a potential trade deal with India to the White House reporters said that he will do it if "we can make the right deal". 

India's envoy to Washington DC, Taranjit Singh Sandhu stated that the US President's forthcoming visit is a "reflection of the strong personal rapport" between Trump and Modi. "It also demonstrates their strong desire to take the relationship to new heights."

Donald Trump to visit Motera Stadium

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi his friend and claimed that PM said they will have five to seven million people to receive them through Ahmedabad airport to Motera stadium. Addressing reporters in White House on Wednesday, Trump hinted at a possible trade deal with India on the cards during the visit. 

He said, "I am (going to India). He (PM Modi) said we'll have millions and millions of people. He thinks we'll have 5-7 million people just from the airport to the new stadium (Motera Stadium). PM Modi is a friend of mine, he's a great gentleman and I look forward to going to India." On the Motera stadium, President Trump said that it is the largest cricket stadium in the world and has almost completed construction.

US to discuss a trade deal with India

As a precursor to long-term Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Delhi and Washington, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will be on India's visit to finalise the trade deal. India has reportedly sought to restore preferential trade status under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP), which was terminated by the Trump administration last year. "President Trump's trip to India is timely in view of the bilateral trade issues that need to be resolved and in light of the collaborations between the US and India in various realms," M R Rangaswami, Indian-American philanthropist and head of Indiaspora, told PTI.