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U.S President Donald Trump has admired India as a democratic, peaceful country and reaffirmed his close ties to true friend Narendra Modi at a huge stadium rally. The brand new, 110,000-capacity Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad had barely emptied when news emerged that a police head constable had been killed in clashes in the capital, Delhi, as protests against Modi’s government threatened to overshadow Donald and Melania Trump’s maiden, 2-day visit to the country. The U.S President emphasized the difference between India and China. He said, ”The former’s economic growth was all the more remarkable because it was achieved as a democratic country, a peaceful country, a tolerant country, as a great, free country”.

Trump was warmly welcomed by Modi and then treated to a 22km roadshow of stages promoting India’s 28 states on the route to the stadium. The U.S president may have felt let down by the mere tens of thousands who lined the road-show route to greet him. He had repeatedly claimed in the run-up to this trip that he would be met by millions, but he can’t have been disappointed by the roar that greeted him as he took to the stage in the Motera stadium. Trump and Modi exchanged a bear-hug before waving to the crowd. National anthems of both countries were played. Trump said, “Melania and my family will always remember this remarkable hospitality, from this day on, India will always hold a very special place in our hearts”.

Indian PM Modi is hosting Trump in his home state, led the crowd in chants of Namaste Trump and Long Live India-U.S friendship, and hailed the event as a sign of a far greater and closer relationship between the two countries. Moreover, a steady stream of people walked out as Trump spoke, some in the audience not understanding English, he also received big cheers for vowing to tackle bloodthirsty Islamist terrorism. Trump also called Modi a tremendously successful leader. The Namaste Trump event was the biggest political rally that the U.S president has ever addressed, and the high point in the spectacle of his and the first lady’s 36-hour stay. It also includes a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal.