Donald Trump India Visit Updates: Trump Says U.S.-India Trade Deal ‘Could’ Happen By End Of 2020

U.S. President Trump addressed a press gathering as his two-day visit to the country concluded. He spoke on various issues ranging from the controversial citizenship law to giving a timeline for the U.S.-India trade deal.

Key Highlights:
Trump says:

U.S.-India Trade Deal

• India has one of the highest tariffs in the world.
• I said we have to stop the high tariffs, at least when it pertains to the U.S.
• At least, we are understanding each other, unlike the case with China.
• The U.S. is being charged a large amount of tariffs, that can't happen; ‘working it out' with India on tariffs.
• It has to be reciprocal; the U.S. has to be treated fairly, India understands that.
• U.S.-India trade deficit has come down, but it should come down further.
• The trade deal, if it happens, could happen at the end of the year.

On The Visit

• India a tremendous country and a tremendous market.
• Have a great relationship with the prime minister.
• Had great meetings during the India visit.

On Coronavirus

• A lot of talent and money being put to tackle the coronavirus crisis.

On Afghanistan

• India would like to see the Afghan peace deal happen.
• The U.S. has been in Afghanistan in 19 years; we want to bring our soldiers back home.
• The U.S. is not a police force, the Afghans will have to police themselves.
• It's a very difficult & dangerous part of the world.

On Citizenship Amendment Act Protests

• Discussed religious freedom with Prime Minister Modi.
• Prime Minister Modi wants Indians to have religious freedom.
• Relative to other places, India has worked really hard on religious freedom.
• Didn't discuss recent violence in New Delhi with Modi.
• Also, discussed with PM Modi hate crimes against Muslims in India and religious liberties with PM Modi for a long time.

On Jammu & Kashmir

• Have a very good relationship with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• Will do whatever I have to do since my relationship with both leaders is good.
• Anything I can do to mediate on Kashmir, I'll do.
• Kashmir has been a thorn in a lot of peoples sides for very long.
• There are two sides to every story, but they've worked really hard on the issue.

The issue of Citizenship Act did not arise in meeting with Trump, said India’s Foreign Secretary HV Shringla in a press briefing at New Delhi.

• India shared with the U.S. positive developments in Jammu & Kashmir.
• India, U.S. reached "certain understanding" on trade issues.

Key Highlights:

Trump to Tata Group’s N Chandrasekaran

• Governments are not equipped to skill workers, companies will be better equipped to do it.

Trump To Jubliant Bhartia Group’s Hari Bhartia

• Health care is very important to the Republican Party; want to terminate Obamacare & put in great health care.

Trump To Reliance Industries’ Mukesh Ambani

• If the wrong person gets elected, more regulations may not get cut.
• U.S. economy is being held back because we have an election coming up.

Trump To Aditya Birla Group’s Kumar Mangalam Birla

• If I hadn't been elected the aluminium & steel business in the U.S. would be dead.
• The aluminium business has made a big comeback in the U.S.

Trump To Infosys’ Salil Parekh

• Companies are now allowed to bring money back into the U.S.

Trump To ArcelorMittal’s Lakshmi Mittal

• I'm a big believer in the environment and want to take care of it.
• Earlier regimes were using environmental laws to stop projects.
• You need steel probably more than anything else.
• Heard your company is setting up a plant in the state of Alabama in the U.S.
• Will be announcing a tax cut for middle-income people fairly soon.
• Tax cuts will put a lot of money in the hands of consumers

Other Highlights:

• You (India Inc.) have a very special prime minister, he's (Narendra Modi) done a fantastic job
• When we win re-election, the markets are going to go up like a rocket ship.
• We will win the election, because of what we've done for the economy, health care, military.
• Indian companies are in the U.S. because of the tax cuts and the reduction in regulations.
• Regulations were strangling businesses, and out of control.
• If I don't win, you are going to see a market crash like never before.

Key Highlights From Trump’s Address

• India agreed to purchase $3 billion worth advanced military equipment including Apache, MH 60 Romeo helicopters.
• Affirmed commitment to protect countries from terrorism; revitalising QUAD initiative with U.S., India, Australia & Japan.
• Discussed importance of secure 5G network; 5G should not be a conduit of oppression, censorship.
• Infrastructure of the future should be built in a transparent manner.
• Since I took office, U.S. exports to India have increased 60 percent and exports of U.S. energy to India has grown five times.

On Trade Deal:

• Teams have made tremendous progress on a trade agreement.
• Optimistic that a trade deal can be reached.

Have Agreed To Negotiate On A ‘Big Trade Deal’, Says Modi

Key Highlights:

Narendra Modi Says:

• Indo-U.S. relationship not just between two governments, but between the people of the two nations.
• India -U.S. relationship will now be a comprehensive, strategic partnership.
• Both countries want fair & balanced trade; U.S. firms supply India $20 billion worth of oil & gas.
• In the last 4-5 years, just four sectors: energy, civil aircraft, defence & higher education, have contributed $70 billion to Indo-U.S. trade.
• Our commerce ministries have reached an understanding, our teams will now give it legal shape.
• We have agreed to start negotiations on a big trade deal.

The First Lady of U.S. Melania Trump visited Sarvodaya Co-Ed Senior Secondary School in Nanakpura. Students perform a folk dance performance to welcome her.

Trump said both countries were making some “very substantial transactions” during the meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump are scheduled to begin bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi at 11:00 a.m. Also, the countries are expected to sign defence deals worth $3 billion.

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump laid a wreath at the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New Delhi.

Welcome to the live coverage of the second day of Trump’s visit to India.

Below, is U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Ram Nath Kovind.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump are now visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra.

“President Trump has shown India has a true friend in the White House,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in response to Trump’s speech today.

• India and America are natural partners.
• We are inspired by a shared long-term vision, not short-term considerations.

• Will discuss efforts to expand economic ties between the two nations.
• Making efforts to sign one of the biggest ever trade deals.
• In early stages of discussion to reduce trade barriers.
• Confident of reaching a trade deal that's good for both nations.
• Modi is a very tough negotiator.

“Namaste, Namaste. And hello to India. This is such a great honour.”

That’s how U.S. President Donald Trump Began his speech today.

“Five months ago, the U.S. welcomed your great Prime Minister at a giant football stadium in Texas. And today India welcomes us at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad...Motera Stadium, so beautiful,” Trump went on to say.

“The life of Narendra Modi underscores the limitless promise of this great nation.”

Highlights From Trump’s Speech:

• Everybody loves Modi, but he's also very tough.
• Modi is living proof that with hard work and determination, Indians can achieve anything.
• India is doing so well, we are very, very proud of India.
• India is a miracle of democracy; India gives hope to all of humanity.
• India has become an economic giant in just over 70 years.
• India's economy has grown more than six times in size since the turn of the decade.
• India's potential is absolutely incredible.
• India's rise is an example to every nation in the world.
• India's rise is even more impressive as you have done it as a democratic, peaceful, free country.
• India's faith in the strength of a free society, and the respect for the dignity of every citizen makes Indo-U.S. relationship enduring and natural.

• Our borders will always be closed to terrorists and extremists.
• Anyone who threatens security of Americans will pay a costly price.
• U.S. and India will work together to stop terrorists and counter their ideologies.
• Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one, seeing signs of progress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his speech at the Motera Stadium by lauding the “great friendship” between him and U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The largest democracy gives you a hearty welcome,” he addressing the U.S. President.

Here’s an excerpt of PM Modi’s speech:

“One is land of the free and the other believes the whole world is its family. One is proud of the Statue of Liberty. The other is proud of the tallest statue of the world - Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity.

There is so much that we share. Shared values and ideal. Shared spirit of enterprise and innovation. Shared opportunities and challenges. Shares hope and aspirations.

I am happy that under President Trump's leadership, India-U.S. relations have deepened.”

Members of the Hindu Sena perform 'hawan' on the occasion of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to India, in New Delhi.

U.S. President Trump and PM Modi just reached the Motera cricket stadium, which dethroned Eden Gardens as the largest stadium in the world, after the 22-kilometer roadshow through Ahmedabad.

Trump, and first lady Melania Trump tried their hand at spinning the charkha at the Sabarmati Ashram. The U.S. President was briefed about Gandhiji and the importance of charkha as a symbol of self-reliance.

"To my great friend Prime Minister Naredra Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit," Trump wrote in the Ashram visitors' book, before leaving.

The Air Force One plane carrying Trump and his wife Melania landed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport here at 11:37 a.m., three minutes before the 11:40 a.m. scheduled time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached Ahmedabad over an hour before Trump did, welcomed Trump with a handshake and hug before embarking on the roadshow.

PM Modi himself tweeted pictures of the meet and greet, within minutes.

The leaders are now headed for a 15 minute visit to the Sabarmati Ashram. Trump and Modi are travelling in separate vehicles during the roadshow.

The Air Force One - with Donald and Melania Trump - has landed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

Modi is on the tarmac, ready to greet Trump.

Donald Trump tweeted hours before his arrival in Ahmedabad, saying “We are ready to visit India. We are on our way, and will meet everyone in just a few hours”, in hindi.

Modi replied with “Atithi Devo Bhava”, meaning ‘Guest is like God’

Meanwhile, PM Modi has also arrived in Ahmedabad.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to land at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 11:40 A.M., for the ‘Namaste Trump’ event where he will be accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Trump anticipates a hero’s welcome in India on Monday, but the glitzy events filling his two-day visit will paper over growing trade frictions. The visit is intended to strengthen the personal relationship between Trump and Modi, a fellow nationalist whose country is regarded by the U.S. as an important regional counterweight against China. And for Modi, the visit may distract from controversies over a new citizenship law that his critics say discriminates against Muslims, as well as a slowing economy.

Modi plans to provide Trump a similar spectacle on Monday in Ahmedabad in the prime minister’s home state of Gujarat. Trump had earlier said that the Indian leader has promised that millions of people will line 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) of roads between the airport and a new, 110,000-seat cricket stadium where both leaders will speak just after noon local time.

The event is to be followed by a presidential visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra before official meetings on Tuesday.

Read More.

Here are some images from the preparation of ‘Namaste Trump’ in Ahmedabad.

Here’s a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump leaving for India.