Published 16:38 IST, September 16th 2019
'Howdy, Modi' in Numbers: The huge Indian US diaspora Trump can't miss
Significance of the Indian-Americans residing in US has grabbed renewed attention with US President Donald Trump sharing a stage with PM Modi at Howdy, Modi!
While the world awaits, the US President Donald Trump share a stage with PM Modi on September 22 at the mega event 'Howdy, Modi!', the significance of the Indian-Americans residing there has grabbed renewed attention. The Prime Minister too tweeted the importance of their contribution to the American society and economy. Trump's appearance at the mega event which is touted to attract more than 50,000 people highlights his bid to woo voters for his 2020 campaign, according to poll experts. PM Modi and President Trump are set to address the largest concentration of the Indian-American community in the US at the Houston event.
Here are some factoids about Indians in the US, as shared by US Census Bureau:
- 14% of the total US population, comprising 4.5 crores are immigrants.
- One-sixth of all recent immigrants in US are from India making it the highest number from any country
- Between the period 2010 and 2017, 8 lakh Indians have moved to US
- Indians contribute to the second highest immigrant population currently in US : China- 28 lakh, India - 26 lakh, Philippines - 20 lakh, Pakistan - 4 lakh and Bangladesh - 2.5 lakh
(All numbers as of July 2017)
Trump's recent poll data in Texas
It is precisely this huge population that Trump wishes to target for his 2020 polls. Recent polls conducted by Quinnipiac University, show that Trump's approval rating in Texas is at 46.5%. Surprisingly he is trailing Democratic front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden in the red state i.e Republican supporting the state by 3%. Recent news reports also state that 48% of those who were surveyed have said that they would definitely not vote for Trump in2020. These deeply worrying statistics, have pushed Trump to seek the support of PM Modi's popularity in the US and cash in on it.
Trump confirms appearance at Howdy, Modi!
Earlier on Sunday, White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Houston's mega "Howdy, Modi!" event on September 22. This is for the first time in recent history that the leaders of the two largest democracies would be addressing a joint rally anywhere in the world. This would also be the first time that an American president would be addressing thousands of Indian-Americans at one place in the US. The statement added that Trump will be accompanied by a bipartisan delegation of Governors, Members of Congress, Mayors including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
'Howdy Modi!' event:
The 'Howdy Modi' event organised by Texas India Forum, a not-for-profit organisation has confirmed that over 650 community organisations have already signed up to be "welcome partners" for the program. The event will include a cultural programme and an address by PM Modi. A 90-minute cultural program titled, “Woven: The Indian-American Story” is going to performed celebrating the contributions of Indian-Americans to the cultural, intellectual, and social landscape of the United States. The program will start at 10:00 am before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the stadium.
Updated 17:09 IST, September 16th 2019