America hugs India : Trump hails India-US ties

Ahmedabad: US President Donald Trump on Monday said 'America will always remain a loyal friend to India' as he addressed a packed stadium in Ahmedabad, hours after landing in the city with First Lady Melania Trump and his family.

"Namaste, America loves India," President Trump said, drawing applause from the over one-lakh strong crowd. "I would like to begin by thanking my special friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister - the son of a tea seller in this very city - has had a remarkable rise... He is a great man.

Everybody loves him, but he is a very tough negotiator," President Trump said. He praised India's programmes to give electricity to millions of homes and other policies that have helped the country grow.

Trump talked about India's great tradition of embracing individual freedom, rule of law, dignity of every human being and where people worship side-by-side in harmony.

Trump said India and the US are committed to defend their people from radical Islamic terrorism, resolved to significantly expand defence ties and are working on a "fantastic" trade deal.

"India and the US are committed to fight terrorists and their ideology; that is why my government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups," Trump said in the presence of his family --daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner-- and top brass of his administration.

"The US will always be faithful and loyal friend of India. Thank you for the spectacular welcome," he added.

He also announced that the two countries will firm up defence deals worth $3 billion on Tuesday and that the US will become India's premier defence partner.

"India and US have natural and enduring friendship," Trump said to a cheering crowd. "We are quickly revitalising our alliances all around world," he said.

The US president also heaped praises on Modi, saying the Prime Minister is a "living proof" of what an Indian can achieve with hard work as Trump referred to his humble background as a tea-seller, who had a landslide win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Trump said as the world's largest economy, India gives hope to all humanity and has become an economic giant. "There is a difference between a nation that rises by coercion and one that rises by setting its people free -- that is India. India and the US have natural and enduring friendship," he said.