As US President Donald Trump touched down at Ahmedabad airport, PM Modi who was present at the airport to welcome POTUS welcomed him in signature 'hug' style. The Air Force One plane carrying Trump and his wife Melania landed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international
airport here at 11.37 am, officials said. It was scheduled to land at 11.40 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached Ahmedabad over an hour before Trump did, was present at the airport to welcome the US president at the airport.
Trump visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram where he also spin the Gandhi's charkha. From here on, Trump will head for his mega 'Namaste Trump' event with Modi and jointly address over one lakh people at the Motera cricket stadium, before heading for Agra to see the iconic Taj Mahal with Melania.
Trump accompanied by daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner
Trump, who is also accompanied by daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration, will get a taste of India's cultural melange during his high-optics Gujarat itinerary, after the bonhomie between the two leaders at the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston last year.
Huge billboards of the two leaders and replicas of historic places in Gujarat have also been placed along the roads where people will greet the two leaders.
Over 10,000 police personnel, besides Secret Service officials for Trump's security in India
Over 10,000 police personnel, besides officials of the United States Secret Service, and personnel of the National Security Guards (NSG) and the Special Protection Group (SPG) have been deployed for the high profile visit.
The seventh US president to visit India, Trump on Sunday retweeted a video in which his face was superimposed on the hit Indian movie-character Bahubali, showing him as a great saviour.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have also visited Sabamati Ashram
Several world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have visited Sabarmati Ashram in recent years.
Ashram secretary Amrut Modi said Trump will spend 15 minutes at the place.
A coffee-table book, and a book containing 150 quotations of Gandhi will also be gifted to President Trump.
A cultural extravaganza at the Motera stadium
There will be a cultural extravaganza at the Motera stadium during the 'Namaste Trump' event, where Trump and Modi will address the gathering. Bollywood singer Kailash Kher and some Gujarati folk singers will perform at the stadium, officials of the Gujarat Cricket Association said.
Full preparations at Motera Satdium
Students of various government and private schools have also been roped in to perform at cultural events and they have been practicing for days, an official said.
Billboards with slogans hailing Indo-US relations and having pictures of Trump and Modi walking together, shaking hands, and waving at the crowd during the 'Howdy Modi' event are dotting the city.
(With inputs from PTI)
ALSO READ: US President Donald Trump, wife Melania spins Gandhi's Charkha | WATCH
ALSO READ: Donald Trump's itinerary for today
Latest India News
