Hugs, praise & celebration of India-US ties: How Namaste Trump event played out in Motera stadium

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi addressed crowds at Motera stadium in Amedabad where the 'Namaste Trump' event took place. Both leaders said Trump's visit will further strengthen India-US ties.

President Donald Trump will receive a ceremonial welcome Tuesday on New Delhi| Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Ahmedabad: US President Donald Trump Monday addressed the crowd at Motera stadium in Ahmedabad, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on stage.

Daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner were also part of the delegation that joined the more than one lakh-strong audience gathered inside the stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue.

PM Modi kicked off the mega ‘Namaste Trump’ event, comparable to the ‘Howdy Modi’ event that was held in Houston last year. He welcomed the Trumps on stage, introduced them to the audience and spoke of how their first visit to India was “historic”.

PM Narendra Modi greets US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the start of the Namaste Trump event | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

US President Donald Trump in address at the Motera stadium said that America loves India | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Union Home Minister Amit Shah before the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

The Motera stadium, the venue for the Namaste Trump event, is spread across over 64 acres and has a club house and an Olympic-size swimming pool. It has seating capacity of about 1.10 lakh people | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Among the crowds were supporters of PM Modi, who were seen sporting masks of both Modi and President Trump | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Crowds of people began streaming into the stadium hours before Trump even landed in Ahmedabad. A cultural roadshow was organised along the route to the stadium | Photo: Parveen Jain | ThePrint

For security reasons, each invitee was given a personal invitation and police conducted their background checks.
| Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

People hold up their tickets for the Namaste Trump event. Many attendees were transported to the venue in buses | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

 

A woman walks past a wall that was built ahead of Trump’s visit in Ahmedabad | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

The wall was put up to screen a slum from the main road along which Trump and his entourage had passed | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

(With inputs from PTI)