As the World's largest Democracy is all set to welcome US President Donald Trump for his first official visit on February 24, 25th, the move will be observed closely by world leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who visited the U.S. last year, was greeted by a massive crowd at 'Howdy, Modi'.
Over 100,000 people are expected to attend the “Namaste Trump” event planned in Ahmedabad in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. Modi and Trump will also lead a parade through the city on Trump’s two-day trip, which is expected to focus on trade relations between the two countries and their shared concern about China’s growing influence in the region.
Ahead of Trump’s trip, here is a look at previous U.S. presidential visits to India:
1. Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1959
From Carter to Obama, list of US Presidential visits to India
This was the first visit by a US President to independent India. During his trip, Dwight D. Eisenhower addressed both houses of the Indian Parliament and visited the Taj Mahal with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The trip marked a significant shift in the perspective of many in Washington, who had thought of India as being close to the communist Soviet Union.
2. Richard Nixon, 1969
Indira Gandhi with US President Richard Nixon
Nixon’s one-day trip to India was primarily aimed at de-escalating tensions with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The two leaders had a frosty relationship because of India’s decision not to take sides in the Cold War and the U.S. decision in the early 1960s to deepen its partnership with India’s archrival, Pakistan. Two years later, the relationship soured further when Nixon supported Pakistan in the India-Pakistan War of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
3. Jimmy Carter, 1978
Jimmy Carter's visit to India
When Carter visited India, the intention was to thaw tensions that remained after the 1971 war and India’s first nuclear test in 1974. He addressed the Indian Parliament and left a lasting impact on a small town near New Delhi, which was later renamed Carterpuri after him.
4. Bill Clinton, 2000
Bill Clinton's visit to India
Clinton visited with his daughter, Chelsea Clinton. His speech in the Indian Parliament received rapturous applause and he toured several Indian cities, leaving many in the country star-struck. “President Clinton was wildly popular in India,” said Bruce Riedel, a senior adviser at Brookings Institute who helped organize Clinton’s trip to India. “It was like traveling with the Beatles or the Rolling Stones in the 1960s.”
5. George W. Bush, 2006
George Bush's visit to India
The highlight of George W. Bush’s trip was the finalization of a landmark nuclear deal, which was agreed upon in 2005. Under the agreement, India separated its civil and military nuclear programs and opened its civilian facilities including nuclear power plants for international inspection. In return, the U.S. ended a ban on nuclear trade with India. The significant move was also accompanied by other measures that boosted economic and security ties.
6. Barack Obama, 2010 and 2015
Barack Obama's visit to India
Obama visited India twice. During his first trip in 2010 during the administration of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he backed India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. In addition to $10 billion in trade deals, the two leaders also agreed to boost defense and national security ties, which led to the easing of export regulations on high-technology goods to India.
The second time around, Obama came to India on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to be the chief guest at the country’s Republic Day celebration, which marks India’s constitution going into effect.
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