NAMASTE TRUMP: TRUMP TO INAUGURATE THE LARGEST CRICKET STADIUM IN THE WORLD

As a follow up to the joint appearance by Prime Minister Modi of India and President Donald Trump at a massive public gathering of overseas Indians in Houston, back in September 2019, a similar mega event called Namaste Trump (Greetings, Trump) is being planned in Ahmedabad on February 24th. Unlike every other American President's official visits to India, the Air Force One is going to touch down at Ahmedabad first instead of New Delhi which is the national capital. He will leave for New Delhi later in the evening.

Ahmedabad, the city where the operational headquarters of Entigrity’s Indian division is located, is a heritage city recognized by UNESCO. It is the largest city in Prime Minister Modi's home State of Gujarat. Among many renowned monuments it also houses the historic 'Gandhi Ashram' which was the humble abode of Mahatma Gandhi and is known to have played an important role in his life and leadership since the days of Indian independence movement. Trump is expected to pay a visit to the Ashram during his day long stay in the city. He will be the first US president to visit Ahmedabad where he will be accompanied by Prime Minister Modi for a 14 miles long road show.

Together, Modi and Trump will be inaugurating the recently revamped Motera Stadium, which is the largest Cricket Stadium in the world and is designed to seat about 125,000 people at a time. This stadium is easily befitting to host the heads of governments of world’s oldest and the largest democracies for the ‘Namaste Trump’ event. A huge crowd is anticipated to cheer for POTUS while US secret service is in the process of securing the venue, even as work for the final touches at the stadium is also continuing.

President Trump's trip to India is timely in view of the bilateral trade issues that need to be resolved and in light of the collaborations between the US and India in various realms including peace building, security and bilateral trade. They spoke over phone during the past weekend and agreed that the trip will further strengthen the United States-India strategic partnership and highlight the strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people. When they meet, the two leaders will also emphasize upon converting the goodwill arising out of this visit to help resolve intractable impediments to US-India cooperation in long term.

Although Trump is on a state visit, but otherwise India had much earlier eased the Visa requirements for American citizens who can either apply online for an electronic visa or get one on arrival at the airport. Hence, making it quite convenient for people from the USA to travel to India. Indian diaspora living in the US comprises of a huge number of immigrants from Gujarat region, that’s why Ahmedabad is among the top flying destinations for the airlines operating between USA and India. Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport in Ahmedabad is also one of the largest and busiest international airports in India.