US President Donald Trump's decision to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mega diaspora event "Howdy, Modi!" in Houston on September 22 suggests that Trump considers Modi to be his friend and ally, a former top Pakistani diplomat said Monday. "President Trump is signaling clearly that while he may have hosted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, it is Prime Minister Modi that he considers his ally and friend," former Pakistani Ambassor to US, Husain Haqqani told PTI.

Donald Trump and PM Modi relationship 

Haqqani, 63, who has authored several bestselling books on Pakistan, is currently a senior fellow and director at South and Central Asia department of think-tank Hudson Institute. "That (Howdy, Modi! event) will certainly depress those who thought Khan's last trip to Washington represented a breakthrough in US-Pakistan relations," Haqqani said in response to a question, a day after White House anunced Trump would join Modi at mega Houston rally, which would be attended by more than 50,000 Indian Americans.

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This would be third meeting between two leers this year. previous two were on sidelines of G20 Summit in June in Japan and in France in July on sidelines of G7 Summit. US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), one of organising partners of event, hailed Trump's participation and said bilateral tre between India and US has seen an extremely positive trajectory in last dece.

"Houston is appropriate venue for two leers to meet": Mukesh Aghi "This unprecedented gesture by both leers shows ir commitment towards US-India partnership and why two countries continue to be natural allies," USISPF president Mukesh Aghi said.

"As energy capital of US, Houston is appropriate venue for two leers to meet. Just this year, US energy exports to India have accounted for nearly 75 percent of overall exports. Companies from both countries are actively discussing investments in both countries and strategic partnerships," he said. "We have witnessed an extremely positive trajectory in our bilateral tre over last dece," Aghi said.

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According to USISPF projections, US-India bilateral tre could grow from USD 143 billion to USD 327 billion by 2025, if last two years' tre growth rate of 12.5 percent continues. In a report, CNBC news said Trump's presence at "Howdy, Modi!" event is intended to renew US-India relations and showcase support for prime minister following strong criticism of government's handling of Kashmir issue and tense tre talks between officials from both countries.

According to a CNBC insider, Trump's presence on st with Modi will show Pakistan that US is backing India. "For Modi, it's important that US doesn't support Pakistan overtly," Akhil Gupta, former chairman of asset manment group Blackstone India, said in an interview to CNBC. Meanwhile, Texas Senator John Cornyn said he is looking forward to attending Trump-Modi rally in Houston on Sunday. Or senior leers who are expected to attend event include Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Al Green, US Representative Pete Olson; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, US Representative Sylvia Garcia and Texas Goverr Greg Abbot.

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