White House confirms President Trump to join PM Modi at Indian-American event

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The White House confirmed Sept. 15, that President Trump will be joining Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston to “underscore” the important bilateral partnership, at the highly anticipated Howdy, Modi! event scheduled to be held Sept. 22.

In Houston, President Trump will participate in an event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, a statement from the White House Press Secretary, said. The event, “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures,” is expected to draw more than 50,000 Indian-Americans and others from around the country.

“It will be a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship,” the White House said.

The Texas India Forum in charge of organizing the massive welcome event for India’s Prime Minister also confirmed President Trump’s presence at the event.

The event at the NRG Stadium in Houston presents an ideal opportunity for Trump to meet a massive and increasingly influential minority in a pre-election year.

“The special gesture of President @realDonaldTrump to join us in Houston highlights the strength of the relationship and recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy. #HowdyModi.” tweeted Prime Minister Modi. He also called it a sign of the “special friendship between India and USA!” adding, “Looking forward to joining the Indian origin community in welcoming him at the programme.”

“The TexasIndia Forum is excited to welcome President Donald J. Trump to address over 50,000 Americans as we host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India in Houston on September 22 at NRG Stadium,” the organization said in a press release Sept. 15.

Prime Minister Modi will be in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly meetings which begin Sept. 17, in New York.

“The “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures” Community Summit attendees represent 48 states, coming together to emphasize the shared values and aspirations of two great nations whose partnership is important to global peace, prosperity, and human progress,” the Texas India Forum goes on to say.

“This unique event brings together the President of the world’s most influential democracy, the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, and a bipartisan delegation of Governors, Members of Congress, Mayors, and other public officials,” the press release noted.

News reports have said some 60 U.S. lawmakers are going to be present at the event, including the first Hindu-American elected to the U.S. Congress Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, and Indian-American Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, and Ami Bera, D-California.

The live audience will be the largest gathering for an invited foreign leader visiting the United States other than the Pope, the Texas India Forum says on its website.

More than 1,000 volunteers and 650 Texas-based Welcome Partner organizations have been involved in bringing the “Howdy Modi” summit together, organizers say.

A 90-minute cultural program planned for the event is entitled,  “Woven: The Indian-American Story” and celebrates the contributions of  Indian-Americans to the social fabric of the United States. Twenty seven  groups performing a multimedia show will display the diversity in the Indian-American community.