Hello and welcome to Moneycontrol’s coverage of the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event in Houston, Texas (US).
This LIVE blog will bring you the latest updates. Stay tuned for more.
PM Modi will address a crowd of over 50,000 people at Houston’s sprawling NRG Stadium. The event is being hosted by the Texas India Forum, a non-profit organisation that promotes co-operation between US and India.
The audience will not only include members of the Indian-American community, but also US lawmakers.
This is one of the biggest diaspora events addressed by PM Modi since he came to power in 2014.
Perhaps the key highlight of the event, apart from PM Modi’s address, will be the presence of US President Donald Trump.
President Trump will also address the gathering about 30 minutes, according to reports. Reports also suggest that there could be some announcement related to trade.
Beyond this event, PM Modi is on a week-long tour of the US. His jam-packed itinerary includes an important address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 27.
Update:
PM Modi and President Trump are taking a lap of the stadium'sfield.
Update:
PM Modi has concluded his address at the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event.
Prime Minister has invited President Trump to India.
“I want you to come to India, with your family. Our friendship will take our shared dreams and our vibrant future to new heights,” PM Modi has added.
PM Modi:
President Trump calls me a 'tough negotiator'. But he himself is a master of the 'art of the deal' and I am learning a lot from him.
“Today, India is not postponing challenges, it is fighting it head on. India is not working on small incremental changes, but on complete solutions. We are realising the impossible,” PM Modi has said.
PM Modi:
9/11 in the US or the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in India -- the mastermind is always found in the same place. It is high time we fight a decisive battle against the perpetrators and supporters of terrorism.
Without naming a particular country, PM Modi has said that “some people have a problem with abrogation of Article 370. These are the same people who cannot govern their own country properly. These are the same people who shield terrorism and nurture it. Whole world knows them very well."
PM Modi has urged the crowd to give a standing ovation to all Indian parliamentarians for revoking provisions of Article 370.
PM Modi:
Discrimination that women and children faced in Jammu and Kashmir because of Article 370, has now ended.
The prime minister is now talking about abrogation of Article 370 that gave special provisions to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre had scrapped provisions of the Article in August.
PM Modi:
For us, 'ease of living' is as important as 'ease of doing business' and for that empowerment is important. When the common citizen is empowered, the nation moves forward on the path of social and economic development.
PM Modi:
On October 2, when the country celebrates 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, India will also bid farewell to open defecation.
“We have built two lakh kilometres of roads in rural India in just five years. In India, less than 50 percent people had bank accounts. Today, almost 100 percent Indians are associated to the banking sector. We have opened new bank accounts for 370 million people in just five year,” PM Modi has said.
PM Modi at the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event:
Today, India wants to grow at a speed faster speed than ever before. It is challenging the people who think nothing is going to change, ever. In the last five years, 130 crore Indians have brought unprecedented results in different sectors.
PM Modi:
Today, India is challenging some people'smindset that nothing can change. Now we are aiming high and we are achieving higher.
PM Modi:
The most discussed word in India today is development. The biggest mantra for India is ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’. Public participation is India’s biggest policy today.
‘Unity in Diversity’ is our emblem. It is the basic fabric of our vibrant democracy. This is our power and our inspiration. The 50,000 Indians present in this stadium today are representatives of our great heritage: PM Modi
PM Modi:
The 2019 Lok Sabha election waved the flag of Indian democracy throughout the world. 61 crore people participated in it. This is approximately double the total population of the US.
PM Modi:
I welcome you all on behalf of every Indian with my heartiest wishes. I was told that a lot of people registered for this event, but due to space crunch, a lot of people could not make it. I apologise to everyone who could not make it to the event.
PM Modi:
The name of this event is ‘Howdy, Modi!’. But Modi is nothing when alone. I am an ordinary Indian working with the backing of over 130 crore Indians. Hence, my response to ‘Howdy, Modi?’ is that everything is good in India.
PM Modi:
What President Trump has just said is a tribute to 130 crore Indians.
PM Modi has begun his address by saying, “Howdy, my friends! This sight, this atmosphere is unimaginable. Texas’ spirit is reflecting his this gathering.”
"When you talk of Texas, everything is on a grand scale. I am seeing history being made, and a new chemistry too," PM Modi has added.
Update:
President Donald Trump has concluded his address at the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event. PM Modi is walking up to the podium. He will address the gathering next.
President Trump:
“Very soon, India will have to access to another world class American product -- NBA. Wow, sounds good. Next week thousands in Mumbai will watch the first ever NBA game in India."
"Am I invited Mr. Prime Minister? I may come, be careful. I may come” Trump added jokingly.
President Trump is talking about terrorism and border security. “We are taking further unprecedented action to secure our southern border,” Trump has said.
President Trump:
Economic miracles taking place today are just beginning. India has never invested in the United States like it is doing today and I want to say it is reciprocal because we are doing the same thing in India.
In this screengrab picture:
A packed NGR Stadium in Houston while President Trump was addressing.
President Trump is now talking about the US economy and contributions of the Indian-American community.
President Trump:
In a single decade, India has lifted nearly 300 million people out of poverty – and that is an incredible number.
President Trump:
I am happy to report that the ties between the two nations are stronger than ever before.
President Modi has congratulated PM Modi on the latter’s 2019 Lok Sabha election victory.
President Trump:
PM Modi is doing a truly exceptional job for India and the Indian people. It is my privileged to be here today.
Update:
US President Donald Trump has begun his address to the gathering.
When I met him (Trump) for the first time, he said that India has a true friend in the White House. Your (Trump’s) presence today is a great testimony to that: PM Modi
PM Modi introducing Donald Trump:
From CEO to Commander-in-Chief. From board rooms to the Oval Office. From studios to the global stage. He (Trump) has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere.
“Good morning, Houston. Good morning, Texas. Good morning, America!” PM Modi says.
National anthems of India and the US are being played.
Update:
President Trump and PM Modi have been welcomed onto the stage.
Update:
US President Trump has arrived at the NRG Stadium. He has been received by India's Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar.
A short while ago, House Majority Leader Steny H Hoyer said:
We are inspired by modern India he (PM Modi) leads while mindful of the challenges, undeterred as India reaches into new frontier of space and equally determined to lift millions out of poverty back on earth. (ANI)
Update:
The cultural performances have resumed. President Trump is expected to arrive shortly. This will be followed by his and PM Modi’s address.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer:
(India,) like America, (is) proud of its traditions to secure a future according to Gandhi's teachings and Nehru's vision of India as a secular democracy where respect for pluralism and human rights safeguard every individual. (ANI)
Update:
Donald Trump is expected to reach the event venue shortly. According to reports, his arrival at the NRG Stadium has been delayed by his surprise visit to the coast guard hangar.
Tropical Storm Imelda has led to flooding in parts of Houston as well as other areas of Texas. Local news reports suggest that the water is receding.
In a televised address, Trump said PM Modi is a highly respected man. "Indian love me and that is why I am here. I have a lot of respect and great friendship with the Prime Minister," Trump said.
“Indian-Americans have given back through their services as doctors, engineers and artists. Mr. Prime Minister, they (Indian-Americans) are making a difference in America. Of course, they serve in our military and in our government,” says Steny Hoyer.
Update:
Senior US lawmaker and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is now addressing the gathering. He is talking about the close ties between India and the US. PM Modi is on stage.
President Trump is expected to arrive at the NRG Stadium shortly.
PM Modi has been presented a key to the city of Houston.
PM Modi is interacting with the US Congressional delegation, on stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been introduced by John Cornynto the 50,000-strong crowd at the NRG Stadium in Houston.
Update:
Senator from Texas and senior Republican leader John Cornyn is now addressing the gathering.
“Texas helps power India with American power and gas. Today, India is increasingly running on American gas,” Cornyn has said.
Update:
Ted Cruz, a Republican Senator from Texas, is now addressing the gathering.
"Today is a celebration of friendship between America and India. We share history, culture and values," Cruz says.
“We say thank you for the contributions of the Indian-American community,” Cruz has added.
