President Trump's Trip To India Has Been A Resounding Success And Has Cemented The Strong Relationship Between The United States And India
The Facts:
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RETURNING AFTER A SUCESSFUL TRIP TO INDIA WHERE HE UNDERSCORED THE UNITED STATES' AND INDIA'S BLOSSOMING RELATIONSHIP
- This Monday and Tuesday , President Trump visited India where he traveled to New Delhi and Ahmedabad and underscored the United States' commitment to the country.
- While in India, President Trump announced several deals including an agreement for India to purchase U.S. military equipment, an agreement to allow India to import more Liquefied Natural Gas and a telecom agreement to work together to make 5g safe
- While in the country, President Trump addressed more than 110,000 Indians at the largest Cricket Stadium in the world at a " Namaste Trump " rally held with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- During the rally, President Trump underscored the deepening ties between the two countries and urged continued security and economic cooperation.
- The President highlighted India and the United States' effort to defend against radical Islamic terrorism and the countries' combined commitment to working towards a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
- Additionally, the President announced India's intent to purchase six Apache Helicopters and 24 anti-submarine warfare helicopters in a deal worth over $3.5 billion.
- The President's visit came on the heels of a rally held with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2019 in Houston, Texas that was attended by 50,0000 and watched by millions across the United States and India.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES IS STRONGER THAN EVER THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP
- President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have an extremely close relationship which was " cemented " by the President's most recent trip to the country.
- President Trump is extremely popular in India ; He is more popular in India than almost any other country and India's approval rating for President Trump's foreign policy is double that of its approval for German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.
- In the U.S., President Trump has worked to elevate Indians across all levels of his administration including naming the first Indian American to a cabinet level position with Nikki Haley's appointment as Ambassador to the United Nations.
- Since taking office, President Trump has worked to strengthen the United States security arrangement with India such as by signing a defense pact that in 2018 paved the way for joint military exercises and military weaponry and technology exchanges.
- Additionally, the Trump Administration and India have worked closely to counter China's emergence in the Indo-Pacific and to address terrorism in the South Asia region.
THIS WEDNESDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RETURNING AFTER A SUCESSFUL TRIP TO INDIA WHERE HE UNDERSCORED THE UNITED STATES' AND INDIA'S BLOSSOMING RELATIONSHIP
On This Monday And Tuesday, President Trump Visited India Where He Traveled To New Delhi And Ahmedabad And Strengthened The United States' Relationship With The Country By Announcing Defense, Energy And Telecom Deals
On February 24 And 25, 2020, President Trump And First Lady Melania Trump Visited India. " President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit India on February 24 - 25, 2020." ( The White House , 02/10/20)
The President And The First Lady Traveled To New Delhi And Ahmedabad, Located In The Home State Of Prime Minister Modi. "The President and The First Lady will travel to New Delhi and Ahmedabad, which is in Prime Minister Modi's home state of Gujarat and played such an important role in Mahatma Gandhi's life and leadership of the Indian independence movement." ( The White House , 02/10/20)
While In India, President Trump Announced Several Deals Including An Agreement For India To Purchase U.S. Military Equipment, An Agreement To Allow India To Import More Liquefied Natural Gas And An Agreement To Work Together To Make 5G Safe. "But deals in other areas were announced. India is to buy attack helicopters and other US military equipment worth $3bn, Mr Trump said. They also announced co-operation in fighting radical Islamist terrorism and deepening energy ties, as well as pledging to work together to make 5G technology safer. As part of the deals announced, US firm Exxon Mobil and Indian Oil have signed an agreement to help India import more Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG)." ( BBC, 02/25/20)
While In The Country, President Trump Addressed More Than 110,000 Indians At The Largest Cricket Stadium In The World Where He Encouraged Developing The Ties Between The Two Countries
On Monday, President Donald Trump And Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Held A Joint Rally Attended By More Than 110,000 People In The Largest Cricket Stadium In The World. "President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cemented a budding friendship on Monday with a joint rally in India attended by more than 110,000 people. The two men held hands and heaped praise on each other in front of an noisy, enthusiastic crowd in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Modi's home state, in what's claimed to be the largest cricket stadium in the world." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
The Rally Titled "Namaste Trump" Was A Sequel To The "Howdy Modi" Event Held In Houston Last September. "The rally, titled 'Namaste Trump,' was a sequel to the 'Howdy, Modi' event Trump held with prime minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September." ( Fox News , 02/24/20)
During The Rally, President Trump Underscored The Deepening Ties Between The Two Countries And Urged Continued Security And Economic Cooperation. "President Trump encouraged India to 'take pride in the glories of your past' as he described the deepening ties between the two countries and encouraged India's leaders to continue arming its military with American-made missiles, rockets and ship." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
The President Highlighted India And The United States' Effort To Defend Against Radical Islamic Terrorism . "Addressing a crowd he said was around 125,000, Trump said that both the U.S. and India were united in recognizing the need to 'defend ourselves from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism,' which got the loudest cheer of the day." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
- During The Speech, President Trump Highlighted India's Intent To Purchase $3 Billion Worth Of U.S. Made Helicopters. "Mr. Trump later noted $3 billion worth of U.S.-made helicopters the Indian military plans to purchase." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
- The Deal Is Expected To Be Worth Over $3.5 Billion And Would Provide India With Six Apache Helicopters And 24 Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters. "But Trump confirmed tomorrow's expected announcement of an arms deals worth over $3.5 billion for six Apache helicopters and 24 anti-submarine warfare helicopters. He declared he wanted the U.S. to be 'India's premier defense partner' and the deal was a step toward that goal." ( USA Today , 02/24/2020)
The President Also Highlighted The Countries' Commitment To Working Towards A Free And Open Indo-Pacific Region For Generations To Come. "He said he hoped the nations would expand business and trade ties, and that they would work toward a 'free and open Indo-Pacific region for generations to come,' a possible reference to China's regional dominance." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
The President's Visit Came On The Heels Of A Rally Held With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi In Houston, Texas That Was Attended By 50,000 And Watched By Millions Across The United States
President Trump And Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Headlined An Unprecedented "Howdy Modi" Rally In Houston, Texas Last September. "President Donald Trump appeared at a cavernous football stadium on Sunday alongside Narendra Modi, the popular prime minister of India, who attracted a crowd of 50,000 from across the U.S. to what was touted as the largest event in the country for a leader of a foreign nation." ( Politico , 9/22/19)
All 50,000 Tickets To The Trump-Modi Joint Rally Sold Out Within Weeks, And Another 5,000 Remained On A Waiting List. "Houston's Indian American community, consisting of roughly 150,000 people, lobbied Modi to visit after he announced that he would visit the U.S. All 50,000 tickets for the event were claimed in three weeks - before Trump announced he would attend, according to event organizers. Another 5,000 remained on a waiting list." ( Politico , 9/22/19)
The Rally - Trump's Largest To Date - Was Broadcast To Millions Of Viewers On American And Indian TV With "Thousands" Of Watch Parties Organized Across The United States. "The rally, which was Trump's largest yet and was broadcast to millions of people on U.S. and Indian TV, included a cultural program, in addition to the speeches by Trump and Modi. Thousands of watch parties were organized across the U.S." ( Politico , 9/22/19)
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES IS STRONGER THAN EVER THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP
President Trump And Prime Minister Narendra Modi Have An Extremely Close Relationship
With the Joint Rally, President Trump And Prime Minister Modi "Cemented A Budding Friendship." "President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cemented a budding friendship on Monday with a joint rally in India attended by more than 110,000 people." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
- The India Trip Was The Eighth Time Prime Minister Modi And President Trump Have Met Since President Trump Took Office. "They have met eight times since Mr. Trump took office, including on the stage of a rally in Houston, attracting 50,000 people, that the U.S. president hosted on Mr. Modi's behalf." ( WSJ , 02/22/20)
- NBC News: "Despite Vastly Different Backgrounds…The Pair Appear To Have Personal Chemistry And Share Similar Views." "Despite vastly different backgrounds - Modi says his father was a train station tea vendor while Trump was born into a New York real estate empire - the pair appear to have personal chemistry and share similar views." ( NBC News , 02/24/20)
President Trump Is Extremely Popular In India With Indians Approving Of His Foreign Policy At A Rating Double That Of German Chancellor Angela Merkel And French President Emmanuel Macron
President Trump Is More Popular In India Than Almost Any Other Country. "President Trump is more popular in India than almost any other country, according to a recent poll. A Pew Research survey released last month showed that the percentage of Indians that disapprove of Mr. Trump's foreign policies is 15%, the lowest of 32 countries surveyed." ( The Wall Street Journal , 02/24/20)
A Pew Poll Conducted In The Spring Of 2019 Found That A Majority 56% Of Indians Expressed Confidence In Trump To Do The Right Thing Regarding World Affairs. "A majority of Indians have confidence in Donald Trump to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs. Trump's image in India has gained favor since his candidacy in 2016, jumping from 14% confidence to 56% over three years. Much of this movement is accompanied by more people now offering an opinion about the U.S. president. The share volunteering a response of 'don't know' or declining to answer has fallen precipitously over the same period, from 67% in 2016 to just 30% in 2019." ( Pew Research Center , 2/20/20)
- India's Approval Rating For President Trump's Foreign Policy Was Double Its Approval Rating German Chancellor Angela Merkel And French President Emmanuel Macron. "Meanwhile, India had the fifth highest approval rating for Trump's foreign policy, at 56%-double its approval ratings for German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron." ( The Wall Street Journal , 02/24/20)
Trump's Popularity Goes Hand-In-Hand With Indians' Positive View Of The United States - Pew Found 64% Of Surveyed Indians Had A Positive Opinion Of The United States' Impact On India's Economy. "U.S.-Indian relations are held in high regard among Indian adults, with about three-quarters saying current relations overall as well as economic ties are good between the two nations." ( Pew Research Center , 2/20/20)
Trump's Push To Pivot United States' Diplomatic And Economic Ties Away From China And Towards Democracies Like India Is Also Well Received By India, With 62% Of Indians Favoring Closer Ties With The United States Over China. "One key goal of Trump's upcoming trip is for his administration to strengthen its relationship with the world's largest democracy as a counterbalance to growing Chinese influence around the globe. And India stands out as a prime place for the U.S. president to curry favor: When asked whether having stronger economic ties with the U.S. or China was more important, 62% of Indians pick the United States." ( Pew Research Center , 2/20/20)
In The United States, President Trump Has Worked To Elevate Indians Across All Levels Of His Administration Including Naming The First Indian American To A Cabinet Level Position With Nikki Haley's Appointment To The United Nations
Nikki Haley, Appointed By President Trump To Be The U.S. Ambassador To The United Nations, Was The U.S.' First Indian American To Serve At A Cabinet Level Position . "US President Donald Trump is pleased that Nikki Haley, sworn in as the US ambassador to the UN, 'is our nation's first Indian-American cabinet level officer', his spokesperson Sean Spicer told the media. According to Spicer, Trump 'had the honour to greet new ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, in his office' when she visited the White House after being sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday." ( Hindustan Times , 01/26/17)
President Trump Appointed Seema Verma To Be Administrator Of The Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services. "After he got into office, Trump celebrated Diwali, the most important holiday for most Indians, and appointed Indian Americans to numerous high-ranking positions…Seema Verma to administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services." ( Politico , 09/22/19)
President Trump Appointed Neomi Rao To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The D.C. Circuit Court.
"After he got into office, Trump celebrated Diwali, the most important holiday for most Indians, and appointed Indian Americans to numerous high-ranking positions…Neomi Rao was tapped for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit." ( Politico , 09/22/19)
President Trump Appointed Ajit Pai To Serve As Chairman Of The Federal Communications Commission. "After he got into office, Trump celebrated Diwali, the most important holiday for most Indians, and appointed Indian Americans to numerous high-ranking positions… Ajit Pai became chairman of the Federal Communications Commission." ( Politico , 09/22/19)
Under President Trump, Rita Baranwal Was Confirmed To Serve As Assistant Secretary Of Energy For Nuclear Energy. " Rita Baranwal was nominated for the post of Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy), Aditya Bamzai for member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and Bimal Patel as the assistant secretary of Treasury." ( The Economic Times , 01/17/19)
Under President Trump, Aditya Bamzai Was Confirmed To Serve As A Member Of The Privacy And Civil Liberties Oversight Board. "Rita Baranwal was nominated for the post of Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy), Aditya Bamzai for member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and Bimal Patel as the assistant secretary of Treasury." ( The Economic Times , 01/17/19)
Under President Trump, Bimal Patel Was Confirmed To Serve As The Assistant Secretary Of Treasury. "Rita Baranwal was nominated for the post of Assistant Secretary of Energy (Nuclear Energy), Aditya Bamzai for member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and Bimal Patel as the assistant secretary of Treasury." ( The Economic Times , 01/17/19)
Since Taking Office, President Trump Has Worked To Strengthen The United States' Security Arrangement With India
In September 2018, The United States And India Signed A Defense Pact That Paved The Way For New Delhi To Buy Advanced American Weaponry And To Share Military Technology. "The United States and India signed an agreement Thursday to pave the way for New Delhi to buy advanced American weaponry and to share sensitive military technology, strengthening their military partnership as both powers warily eye the rise of China." ( The New York Times , 09/06/18)
- American Arms Sales To India Are Currently Valued At Around $18 Billion. "American arms sales to India currently stand around $18 billion, and could climb after the approval of a deal on Wednesday to allow India to buy $1 billion worth of naval guns and ammunition." ( The New York Times , 09/06/18)
In November 2019, The U.S. And India Concluded Its First Land, Sea And Air Exercises In Their History Of Military Exchanges. "As Indian helicopters touched down this week on the deck of an American warship in the Bay of Bengal, what was billed as a modest military simulation became the latest sign of progress in a growing great power partnership in Asia. The United States and India on Thursday will conclude the first land, sea and air exercise in their history of military exchanges, a step forward in White House efforts to deepen defense cooperation between the countries." ( The New York Times , 09/06/18)
The Trump Administration And India Have Worked Closely To Counter China's Emergence And Address Terrorism In The South Asia Region
India Is Critical To The United States' Indo Pacific Strategy To Curb The Growing Influence Of China's Navy In The Region. "India is critical to the United States' new 'Indo-Pacific' strategy - formerly known as 'Asia-Pacific - which aims to curb the growing influence of China's navy in the region by elevating New Delhi as a cornerstone of future military cooperation." ( The New York Times , 09/06/18)
- India's Former Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Has Said "The Defense Cooperation Has Emerged As The Most Significant Dimension Of Our Strategic Partnership And A Key Driver Of Our Overall Bilateral Relationship." "'The defense cooperation has emerged as the most significant dimension of our strategic partnership and as a key driver of our overall bilateral relationship,' India's defense minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, said at the news conference Thursday, sitting with Mr. Mattis and Mike Pompeo." ( The New York Times , 09/06/18)
In November 2019, The U.S. And India Agreed To Enhanced Cooperation In Tackling Money Laundering And Combatting The Financing Of Terrorism. "India and the U.S. agreed Friday to enhanced cooperation in tackling money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism." ( AP News, 11/01/19)
Foreign Relations Asia Read more research
