Indians in their thousands trooped out on Monday to welcome the President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. The more than 100,000 Indians who gathered at the opening of the world’s largest cricket stadium located at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political homeland on Monday, wore cardboard Trump masks and Namaste Trump hats to welcome the U.S. president.
Donald Trump during the Namaste Trump rally, addressed the huge crowd praising the “great Indian nation”
The US president commending the nation’s culture and its mix of religions and languages, said: “Your unity is an inspiration to the world.”
“You have done great honour to our country. We will remember you forever, from this day onwards India will always hold a special place in our hearts,” Trump said to thunderous applause from the Namaste Trump crowd.
India is one of the few big countries in the world where Trump’s personal approval rating is above 50%. It has built up ties with the United States in recent years as Washington’s relationship has become strained with India’s foe Pakistan.
“As we continue to build our defence cooperation, the United States looks forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet,” Trump said.
Ending his speech, he said: “God bless India, God bless the United States of America. We love you.”
Trump and first lady Melania arrived in Ahmedabad in western India on Monday morning and he was hugged by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi after he disembarked Air Force One.
Mr Trump travelled in a motorcade to the stadium going alongside a newly constructed wall, built for his visit, blocking off a neighbouring slum.
The president’s first stop was a visit to Gandhi’s home, where he donned a prayer shawl and took off his shoes in the visit to the ashram.
There will also be a visit a trip to the famed Taj Mahal later on today.
There have been fears that monkeys at the famed Taj Mahal site could attack Mr Trump, with tourists having faced recent problems, and local reports suggest men with slingshots have been hired to keep them at bay should they been an issue.