Howdy Modi: Trump to attend PM's mega event in Houston

The event will be hosted at NRG Stadium. This is the first time that an Indian PM will be heard by such a large gathering in North America. In fact, barring Pope Francis, no other foreign leader has addressed such a massive rally in the US.

"Howdy", short for "How do you do?", is a friendly greeting common in the southwestern US.

The theme of the event is "Shared Dreams, Bright Futures", and PM Modi is expected to underscore the contributions of Indian-Americans in enriching American life.

Interestingly, Tulsi Gabbard, the first American-Hindu Congresswoman, and Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi are also expected to attend the event.

In total, some 60 US lawmakers, including John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, will also be seen at the mega event.

By choosing to attend PM Modi's event, Trump has shown he shares an amicable relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who was showered with a historic mandate in May 2019.

This will be the first time in recent history that leaders of two of the largest democracies will be addressing a joint rally anywhere in the world.

About Trump's plans, White House revealed he will visit Houston and then Ohio.

Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said, "It (Modi-Trump joint rally) 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."

Pertinently, the joint rally comes at a time when several US lawmakers, most of them Democrats, have raised concerns after India revoked Article 370.

With Presidential elections scheduled for 2020, Trump is eyeing the Indian-American vote and PM Modi might help him with it.

After the rally, PM Modi will fly to New York for a session of United Nations General Assembly.