Howdy Modi event: President Donald Trump to join Modi to address Indian Americans

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend Howdy Modi! the event in Houston, Texas, on September 2, where he would address the crowd of over fifty thousands people. The recent announcement of President Donald Trump to share the stage with Modi has further enhanced the importance of this mega event. This is the first time when two great leaders of Global significance would be jointly addressing such a large gathering.

‘Howdy Modi’ event with the theme of ‘Shared Dreams, Bright Futures’ is community Summit organized by Texas India Forum. It will take place at NRG Stadium, Texas, US. The aim of this event is to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy.

‘Howdy’ is a compact form of ‘How do you do’? and quite popular in southwestern in the USA as a greeting gesture.

India and USA both already share a very robust cultural, historical, economic ties and the announcement by Donald Trump to join Modi at this mega event would elevate this strategic partnership to a new level. Donald Trump’s visit to Texas to attend the ‘Howdy Modi’ event was confirmed by the Indian ambassador to USA and White House in a statement issued on Sunday 15 September.

White House in a statement issued confirmed Donald Trump’s participation and noted, “ It will be a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationships.”

Mr Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Indian ambassador to the USA called this gesture as not just a the bonhomie between two countries but also a reflection of outstanding chemistry between Modi and Donald Trump.

“Two leaders addressing the ‘Howdy Modi’ event is historic and unprecedented,” Shringala said. “It reflects not only closeness and levels in the relationship but also the personal chemistry between PM Modi and President Trump,” he added.

Modi expressed extreme delight over this special and important gesture and reverting back to in a tweet highlighted the significance of the Indian community to American society and economy. “The special gesture of President @realDonaldTrump to join us in Houston highlights the strength of the relationship and recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy,” he said in his tweet.

The meeting at Houston holds significance as there is a possibility that both leaders sit together for a discussion to sort out outstanding trade issues between two countries any may probably ink a trade deal. The US has shown dissatisfaction over restricted market access in India for certain items and it may also discuss e-commerce rules in India and data localization, which has served as barriers to digital trade.