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Updated February 25th, 2020 at 20:28 IST

Donald Trump India Visit LIVE: From J&K to CAA to Bernie Sanders, POTUS engages in Q&As

Donald Trump India Visit LIVE Updates: On the next leg of his tour, US President Donald Trump and PM Modi are expected to hold delegation-level talks at Delhi's Hyderabad House on Tuesday.

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
Trump
| Image: self
8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Prime Minister Modi reached Rashtrapati Bhavan, ahead of the ceremonial reception of the US President Donald Trump.

 

8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady Savita Kovind, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, ahead of the ceremonial reception accorded to the US President. The US President observed the Guard of Honour after the national anthems of both countries concluded. 

 

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8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Tuesday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the memorial of India's Father of the Nation at Rajghat in the national capital. The US president and the first lady laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at Rajghat. The Trumps reached Rajghat after a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Trump also signed the visitor's book at Rajghat, and the couple also planted a sapling at the memorial.  Union minister Hardeep Puri accompanied the Trumps to Rajghat.

 

8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

US President Donald Trump met with PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, First Lady Melania Trump also presents there. The two heads of state will be holding delegation-level talks. 

 

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8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Excited students dressed in traditional attires, welcomed US First Lady Melania Trump at Delhi's government school in south Moti Bagh area. Sarvodaya Co-Educational Senior Secondary School was decked up with floral garlands and motifs, welcoming the US First Lady. Floral rangolis were also drawn at multiple places in the school and a student band was waiting to welcome her.

The First Lady will be attending the 'Happiness Class', which was started by the Aam Aadmi Party in 2018. As part of the program, students are taught various activities, including meditation, street plays, basic obedience and aims to reduce anxiety and stress levels among children. 

After attending the class, Melania said, "Namaste! It's a beautiful school. Thank you for welcoming me with a traditional dance performance. This is my first visit to India, people here are so welcoming and so kind." "In the US, I work with children like you to promote similar ideas of well-being through my 'BE BEST' initiative. Three pillars of 'BE BEST' include dangers of drug abuse, importance of online safety and overall well-being of children," she added. 

 

8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi on the second day of the US President's visit. "I welcome you (US President Donald Trump) and the US delegation to India. I know that you are busy these days, still, you took out time for the visit to India. I am grateful to you for this," PM Modi said. 

 

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8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Issuing a statement, PM Modi and US President Donald Trump highlighted the issues discussed in the strategic meet between India and the US. The delegation of both the countries discussed 'defense, security, energy, trade amongst the other issues. Here's what the leaders said in their address. 

Prime Minister Modi

  • India and the USA resolved to step up efforts to hold the supporters of terrorism responsible.
  • Decided to take Indo-US ties to a comprehensive global partnership level.
  • Homeland Security decision pegged on increased interoperability and coordination between Indian and US security forces
  • Defense cooperation between two countries is reflective of the rising strategic partnerships between India and the US, the PM said. 
  • Modi and Trump agreed on a new mechanism to contain drug trafficking
  • The leaders of the US and India decided to enhance strategic energy partnerships. 
  • India, US committed to openness, fair and balanced trade, PM Modi said concluding his address. 

US Prez Donald Trump 

  • US and India finalised defense deals worth $3 billion
  • Discussed 5G telecom technology, the situation in Indo-Pacific
  • The leaders agreed to continue their fight against radical Islamic terror, further adding that the two countries will work with Pakistan to stop cross border terror.
  • The two leaders signed the Axon Mobile and LNG and IOC pact. 
  • Progress on the comprehensive trade deal. 

 

8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Donald Trump addressed the press brief alone and encapsulated the details of his maiden state visit to India. Here is what the US President highlighted: 

  • India-US discussed the issue of coronavirus; the US has it under control.
  • Indo-US cooperation in the energy sector is expanding.
  • Taliban-US peace deal likely to happen.
  • India would like to see US-Taliban peace deal happen; discussed it with PM
  • PM Modi wants people to have religious freedom in India, the US President said. 
  • Trump said that he did not discuss the contentious citizenship law (CAA) with PM Modi
  • Speaking on Kashmir, Trump offered to mediate again, says, "Kashmir has been a thorn for both sides for a long time. There are two sides to the story."
  • If the trade deal happens with India it will happen towards the end of the year
  • Speaking on the rally in Ahmedabad, he said, "In the history of India no one has got the reception we got. 125,000 people and those who lined up. Ambassador Juster said he has never seen anything like it. A great compliment to our country."

 

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8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

A dinner banquet will be hosted by the President in the honour of the US President Donald trump. Visuals of the first couple of both countries are seen. Trump is set to depart to US after the banquet. 

 

8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

 

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8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

A day after the US President Donald Trump and PM Modi heaped praises for one another before a huge crowd at Ahmedabad's Motera Stadium, the two world leaders will hold extensive talks on Tuesday to propel the bilateral ties between the two countries. On his day one, at the extravagant 'Namaste, Trump' event, the US President announced a $3B arms deal with India, visited the Sabarmati Ashram and strolled around the Taj Mahal with his family. 

Donald Trump on Monday reflected India's concerns on cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan as he spoke expanding bilateral military partnership and asserted that the US will always be "faithful and loyal friend" to the Indian people. "We love you. We love you, India, very much,” Trump said concluding his 27-minute speech.

From Ahmedabad, the Trumps flew to Agra and visited the Taj Mahal. They appreciated the grandeur of the Taj Mahal in the picturesque backdrop of setting sun before departing for Delhi. On the next leg of his tour, the two world leaders are expected to hold delegation-level talks at Delhi's Hyderabad House on Tuesday. The talks between Trump and Modi are likely to focus on topics ranging from geopolitical developments investment, trade, security, defense, counter-terrorism, H1B, energy, and regional issues, as per the officials of New Delhi and Washington. 

Meanwhile, US First Lady Melania Trump will be visiting a Delhi government school in South Moti Bagh where she will review the "Happiness Class" program implemented by the government of the capital city. After meeting kids, she is expected to attend 'Happiness Classes' started by the Delhi government. As a part of the program, students are taught various activities including meditation, street plays, basic obedience aimed at reducing anxiety and stress levels among children

Trump's itinerary for Day 2

  • Upon his arrival in New Delhi, Trump will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan as per protocol.
  • The US President is then scheduled to visit New Delhi's Raj Ghat and pay his homage to Mahatma Gandhi. 
  • Following that, Trump and PM Modi will hold extensive talks on February 25 on a range of issues, including defense and trade. Reportedly, India and the US were not keen on finalising a trade deal, thus both sides will take a decision on it considering a long-term view. Some defense deals may fructify during Trump's visit, the sources said.
  • PM Modi will host a lunch for the US President, following which the leaders will hold a media interaction. 
  • Trump will then attend events at the US Embassy, including a business summit.
  • Trump's visit will conclude with an early banquet dinner hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind, following which he will depart for Washington.
     

(With ANI inputs) 

8: 28 IST, February 25th 2020

Ahead of US First Lady Melania Trump's visit to Delhi government school, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal exuded his delight over her visit to the 'Happiness Class' in the national capital. Calling it a 'great day' for school teachers, students and the people of Delhi, the AAP leader said that Melania Trump would take back the 'message of happiness' from Delhi's government school. Kejriwal will

He said, "FLOTUS will attend 'Happiness Class' in our school today. Great day for our teachers, students, and Delhiites. For centuries, India has taught spirituality to the world. I'm happy that she will take back the message of happiness from our school."

All roads leading to a Delhi government school where US first lady Melania Trump is scheduled to pay a visit next week have been repaired, an official said here on Saturday. According to a senior MCD official, roads and footpaths have been repaired and saplings planted to welcome the first lady. The official said the civic body concerned has been tasked with sanitation arrangements and all garbage has been removed from the vicinity of the school.

Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that that the names of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia have been dropped off from the event, for which the Centre received backlash. As per news agency ANI, Delhi government sources claim both were to attend the program since the school comes under their administration but the Centre has reportedly dropped their names.

The AAP government introduced the 'Happiness Class' in the curriculum in 2018. Earlier, an education department official of the Delhi government said that the aim of the class was to inculcate the skill of critical thinking and inquiry among the students. Announcing the curriculum earlier, Sisodia had said, "The curriculum will include meditation, moral values, and mental exercises and its core idea is to produce “sarvagun sampann” (versatile) “professionals and human beings who could serve the society with happiness. After ten years or more, these children will become professionals like doctors and engineers filled with happiness and serve society.” 

 

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Published February 25th, 2020 at 09:24 IST

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