Howdy Modi: Trump to host Indian PM at rally in Texas to show off planned trade deal

Houston is home to a large population of Indian Americans, an electoral target for Republicans in Texas and elsewhere
Modi is seeking to shore up international support abroad as he ignores calls to end a state of emergency in Kashmir

India

The Washington Post

Published: 2:43pm, 16 Sep 2019

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US President Donald Trump plans to appear alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an unusual campaign-style event next weekend in Houston that organisers have dubbed “Howdy, Modi!” the White House said on Sunday.

The White House said the September 22 event in Texas, along with a separate stop with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Ohio the same day, “underscore the important partnerships between the United States and India, and Australia”.

The whirlwind of world leaders comes just before all three are expected to attend a meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Trump says Modi asked him to mediate on Kashmir. India denies making the request

The Houston event will offer Trump and Modi a chance to showcase a planned trade agreement before an audience of Indian Americans they want to impress. Houston is home to a large population of Indian Americans, an electoral target for Republicans in Texas and elsewhere. The White House said the event is expected to draw tens of thousands of people. Modi, a Hindu nationalist, is seeking to shore up international support abroad as he ignores international calls to end a state of emergency in the disputed Kashmir region.

“It will be a great opportunity to emphasise the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship,” a statement from White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said.

Trump angered Modi’s government with an off-the-cuff claim in July that India wanted his help to mediate with Pakistan over Kashmir. He has since said he thinks the two sides can work out the dispute themselves. He is under pressure from lawmakers to urge Modi to lift the lockdown.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo: dpa

The US and India are racing to settle several outstanding trade disputes in time for Trump and Modi to finalise a limited trade accord this month. Trade relations with India were thrown into turmoil in June when Trump revoked privileges that allowed more than US$6 billion worth of Indian goods to enter the United States last year duty-free.

Trump acted after India did not open its market to US manufacturers and farmers, as required by the duty-free programme known as the Generalised System of Preferences. India, which fired back with its own levies on 28 US products, including apples, almonds and walnuts, has among the highest average tariff rates among major economies and runs a nearly US$21 billion surplus in its goods trade with the United States – a measure that Trump watches closely.

It will be a great opportunity to emphasise the strong ties between the people of the United States and India

White House

US officials are seeking greater access to the Indian agricultural market, lower tariffs for industrial goods and a relaxation of price controls on medical devices. India, which has complaints about US immigration policy and financial sanctions, wants its trade privileges restored.

In Wapakoneta, Ohio, Trump and Morrison will tour of a new Australian-owned manufacturing plant, the White House said.

“This visit will demonstrate the strong trade and investment relationship between the United States and Australia and President Trump’s successful efforts to restore the United States as the world’s leading destination for foreign direct investment.”

Trump will host Morrison and his wife at the White House for a state visit on Friday.

The White House did not say when Trump will travel to New York for UN meetings, but he is expected to be there alongside other world leaders on September 23.

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