GUJARAT: US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the US and India will sign a defense deal of over US$ 3 billion.
Addressing a jam-packed Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, US President Trump said: “We will go for a fantastic trade deal; PM Narendra Modi is a tough negotiator.”
The deal will lead the way for the purchase of the ‘finest state of the art military helicopters’ and other equipment to the Indian armed forces.
He stated that the United States looks forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet.
“We make the greatest weapons ever made. We make the best and we are dealing now with India…The US should be India’s premier defense partner. Together we will defend our countries,” he added.
In his address, Trump said America would always remain a loyal and faithful friend to the Indian people.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a rousing welcome in Gujarat, he said they would remember India’s ‘remarkable hospitality’.
He said that India will hold a special place in their hearts adding, “PM Modi started out as ‘tea wallah’, he worked as a tea seller. Everybody loves him but I will tell you this, he is very tough,” he quipped.
He also stated that the relationship with Pakistan is a very good one. “The US government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups,” he said adding that the US is also working towards reducing tensions for all nations of South Asia.
Stating that both countries have suffered from radical Islamic terror, Trump said both the countries are united in defending citizens from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism.
“Under my administration, we unleashed the full power of the American military on bloodthirsty killers of ISIS. Today ISIS territorial caliphate is 100 percent destroyed. The monster Al Baghdadi is dead,” Trump said amid applauds.
He also quoted Swami Vivekananda, has a special shout out to Bollywood, cricketing heroes Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. “India is a country that produces nearly 2000 movies a year from the hub of genius and creativity known as Bollywood”, he stated.
President Trump added that America loves India, respects India and America will always be a loyal friend of the Indian people.
He arrived in India on Monday with his wife Melania Trump and daughter Ivanka on a two-day visit.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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