Trump may meet PM at Howdy Modi event in Texas

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump is 'likely' to share a stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his mega event supported by Indian Americans in Houston, Texas, on September 22. Sources said a final confirmation is still awaited.

Reports said a much-anticipated trade deal could be announced, ending months of bitterness over tariffs. The US in June ended India's designation as a beneficiary nation under a key preferential trade programme that was designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from beneficiary countries.

If Trump does attend the Texas event, it will send a strong signal of personal support to India at a time when several US lawmakers have expressed concerns about the restrictions in Jammu & Kashmir, which has gone on for over 40 days now.

The "Howdy Modi" event will see the participation of over 50,000 Indian Americans, who are also potential voters for Trump, who fights a re-election next year. Both countries are also working out a bilateral meeting of the two leaders during Modi's US visit, which could take place in Washington DC or New York City.

The Prime Minister will be in the US till September 28, primarily for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will make a speech on the September 27- just ahead of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

At the moment, Khan is scheduled to speak shortly after Modi at the UNGA, where he is expected to focus mostly on Jammu and Kashmir following the withdrawal of special status and statehood by the Centre. Sources said PM Modi will also meet with top American CEOs during his visit.

Modi and Trump last met at the G7 Summit in France on August 26, where the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and trade were high on the agenda.

Trump had described the situation in Kashmir as "explosive" and offered to mediate between India and Pakistan if asked. Washington has traditionally maintained that Jammu & Kashmir is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan. But since July, Trump has offered his assistance more than once.