US President Donald Trump to visit India on February 24-25
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump is scheduled for a 2-day visit to India from February 24-25, the White House announced on Tuesday. The trip is aimed at strengthening strategic ties between India and the US. Earlier in January, the Ministry of External Affairs had indicated that Trump could visit India. This would be his first visit to India as the US President.
Details
Trump to be accompanied by wife Melania on India visit
According to PTI, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to New Delhi and Ahmedabad. The White House tweeted Tuesday, "President @realDonaldTrump & @FLOTUS will travel to India from February 24-25 to visit Prime Minister @narendramodi!" The tweet added, "The trip will further strengthen the US-India strategic partnership & highlight the strong & enduring bonds between the American & Indian people."
Information
Trump's visit to strengthen India-US strategic partnership: White House
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham told PTI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump had a telephonic conversation over the weekend. During the conversation, the two agreed that the trip would further strengthen India-US strategic partnership, Grisham said.
Twitter Post
You can view the White House's tweet here
President @realDonaldTrump @FLOTUS will travel to India from February 24-25 to visit Prime Minister @narendramodi!
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 10, 2020
The trip will further strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership highlight the strong enduring bonds between the American Indian people. 🇺🇸 🇮🇳
Recent developments
In January, MEA confirmed India-US held talks over Trump's visit
Previously on January 16, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that India and the US had been holding talks over Trump's proposed visit to India. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said, "Speculations have been made on this for months... When PM Modi met US President Trump, he had invited him to India... Both the countries are in contact over this."
History
Modi invited Trump to India during 'Howdy Modi' event
Notably, Modi had invited Trump and his family to visit India during the "Howdy Modi" event in Houston last September, saying that the visit would give a new height to the shared dreams of the two countries. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and MEA Jaishankar had also reiterated the invitation to Trump while holding 2+2 ministerial dialogue with American counterparts Mark Esper and Mike Pompeo.
Reaction
Trump's India visit described as essential, timely
Speaking to PTI, MR Rangaswami, Indian-American philanthropist and head of Indiaspora, said that the trip is "timely in view of the bilateral trade issues that need to be resolved." Mukesh Aghi, President of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum, added, "It's essential to send a message to the region that India is a significant partner and the President values that."