Modi made a pitch for Trump in his forthcoming presidential election, saying "Abki Baar Trump Sarkar", meaning "This Time Trump Government", along the lines of India's ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party's election slogan earlier this year.
"Mr. President, you had introduced me to your family in 2017 – and today, I have the honour to introduce you to my family", Modi said as he welcomed Trump to the gathering, pointing to the large gathering of Indian-Americans. "Over a billion Indians and people of Indian heritage around the globe...I present you my friend, a friend of India, a great American President Mr. Donald Trump", he told the thunderous crowd.
Modi in his welcome speech described Trump as a "true friend in the White House". He said Trump's presence at the rally was a testimony to that and Trump agreed in his speech, saying "you never had a better friend at the White House than Donald Trump".
Trump suggested that the relationship between India and the US is stronger than it ever was before. He said in the United States and India, the world was witnessing something remarkable. "Our people are prospering like never before. We are slashing bureaucracy from job-killing red-tape", the US president stated.
Trump in his speech listed his achievements in areas such as employment, the economy and the energy sector. "Our economy is breaking one record after another", he claimed.
"Nations around the world are investing in the United States, because they know we have the best economy and the best workers in the world.....India has never invested in the United States, like it is doing today", President Trump said.
"At the same time, we are working to expand American exports to India, one of the world's fastest-growing markets”, he added.
The event, named "'Howdy, Modi!' – Shared Dreams Bright Future" was hosted by the Texas India Forum.
It was attended by representatives from 48 US states and had a packed stadium. The live audience was the largest ever gathering for an invited foreign leader visiting the United States other than the Pope, according to the organisers. It was the first time an American President addressed such a huge Indian-American audience at one place in the country.
