Trump may show up at PM Modi’s Houston rally: report
16 Sep 2019
Several US politicians, including President Donald trump, may show up at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming rally in Houston, Texas, in which at least 50,000 Indian-Americans have registered to participate, say reports.
The rally has attracted the attention of US politicians seeking popular support ahead of the next general election and President Trump might be a “surprise guest” at the event on 22 September, the reports say.
A report in online news media The Wire said Indian and US officials have been in touch since Modi and Trump met at the G-20 summit in France last month, which raised the possibility of the US President attending the “Howdy Modi” rally in Texas. The report said the two leaders would likely announce a trade deal as well at the Houston rally.
There is, however, no clarity on Trump’s appearance at Modi’s Houston rally which is slated for Sunday next. But a rally of 50,000 Indian-Americans could attract politicians seeking popular support.
The US President did not attend any of Modi’s previous rallies in the US. If Trump decides to attend this rally, it would signal strong personal support for Modi, as he faces concerns from some US lawmakers over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the dilution of Article 370.
At least four senators had written to President Trump calling for attention to the communication ban in parts of J&K, while seven other Congressmen wrote a letter addressed to US Ambassadors in Delhi and Islamabad asking them to “leverage their relationships” with the respective governments to ensure tensions are de-escalated.
About 1,00,000 people have also signed an online petition demanding that U.S.-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation rescind plans to award PM Modi for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan programme, during his visit to the US between 21 and 28 September.