Trump Announces $3 Billion Defence Deal With India

US President Donald Trump who has arrived in Ahmedabad on his maiden two-day India tour with First Lady and his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner in the presidential jet Air Force One on Monday, has announced a $3 billion defence deal with India to be signed on Tuesday.

Addressing the  'Namaste Trump' event at Motera Stadium, Trump said: "I thank you for the contribution that you have made to my beloved country. USA's economy is booming. I have come to India to expand our relations. PM and I will continue our dialogue to deepen the relation between our countries. Our relations took a new turn when the Indian and US military has a joint exercise - Tiger Triumph. We make the best military hardware and we now deal with India. Tomorrow we will sign a three billion dollar defence deal. We want India to become our premier defence partner."

PM Modi received the President and his family at the Ahmedabad airport. Trump is scheduled to address the ’Namaste Trump’ event at the newly-built Motera Stadium after doing a 22-km roadshow with PM Modi. After this, Trump will head to Agra and Delhi.

Shortly before his arrival, Trump tweeted in Hindi saying “let’s meet in a few hours”.

अतिथि देवो भव: https://t.co/mpccRkEJCE

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020

His itinerary includes a visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram at 12.15 pm, the ‘Namaste Trump’ event at Motera Stadium at 01.05 pm, following a 22 km long roadshow with PM Modi.

At 03:30 pm, Trump will leave for Agra to see the iconic Taj Mahal with his wife Melania at 05.15 pm. Then the Trumps will head to Delhi at 06.45 pm and reach Palam Air Force Station in Delhi at 7.30 pm.

Before leaving for India, Donald Trump said that PM Modi is his good friend and he is excited to meet Indians. Security has been tightened for Trump's tour.

Trump will have a formal reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Tuesday. After this, PM Modi will have a formal meeting with the US President in Hyderabad and later the two leaders will also issue a joint statement.

Trump is the 7th US President to visit India in the last 61 years.

#PresidentTrump and his entourage are expected to touch down shortly in Ahmedabad where he will be received by @NarendraModi. Watch what is in store for @POTUS and his wife in Ahmedabad and Agra... #PresidentTrump #NarendraModi #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/saQrqBax8M

— GoNewsIndia (@GoNews_India) February 24, 2020