Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi of India at “Howdy, Modi: Shared Dreams, Bright Futures” Event | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

NRG Stadium  •  Houston, Texas  •  September 22  •  12:10 P.M. CDT
    PRIME MINISTER MODI: Good morning, Houston. (Applause.) Good morning, Texas. (Applause.) Good morning, America. (Applause.) Greetings to my fellow Indians in India and around the world. (Applause.)

    Friends, this morning we have a very special person with us. (Applause.) He needs no introduction. (Applause.) His name is familiar to every person on the planet. (Applause.) His name comes up in almost every conversation in the world on global politics. (Applause.) His every word is followed by tens of millions. He was a household name and very popular even before he went on to occupy the highest office in this great country. (Applause.)

    From CEO to Commander-in-Chief - (applause) - from ballrooms to the Oval Office - (applause) - from studios to global stage - (applause) - from politics to the economy and to security, he has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere. (Applause.)

    Today, he is here with us. It is my honor and privilege to welcome here, in the magnificent stadium and magnificent gathering - (applause) - and I can say I had a chance to meet him often, and every time I found the friendliness, warmth, energy - the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump. (Applause.)

    This is extraordinary. This is unprecedented. (Applause.) Friends, as I told you, we have met a few times. And every time, he has been the same warm, friendly, accessible, energetic, and full of wit. (Applause.) I admire him for something more: his sense of leadership, a passion for America, a concern for every American, a belief in American future, and a strong resolve to make America great again. (Applause.)

    And he has already made the American economy strong again. (Applause.) He has achieved much for the United States and for the world. Friends, we in India have connected well with President Trump. The words - the words of candidate Trump, "Abki baar Trump sarkar" - (applause) - rang loud and clear. And his celebration of Diwali in the house - White House lit up millions of faces with joy and appreciation.

    When I met him for the first time, he said to me, "India has a true friend in White House." (Applause.) Your presence here today is great testimony to that. (Applause.) In these years, our two nations have taken that relationship to new heights.

    Mr. President, this morning, in Houston, you can hear the heartbeat of this great partnership in this celebration of the world's two largest democracies. (Applause.) You can feel the strength and depth of human bonds between our two great nations. (Applause.) People are at the heart of all relationships, from Houston to Hyderabad - (applause); from Boston to Bengaluru - (applause); from Chicago to Shimla - (applause); from Los Angeles to Ludhiana - (applause); from New Jersey to New Delhi - (applause), hundreds of millions are glued to their TV, even though it is rather late on a Sunday night in India.


    Millions around the world in different time zones are with us today. They are witnessing history in the making. (Applause.) Mr. President, you had introduced me to your family in 2017. And today, I have the honor to introduce you to my family - (applause) - over a billion Indians and people of Indian heritage around the globe.

    Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my friend, a friend of India, a great American President, Mr. Donald Trump. (Applause.)

    AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

    PRESIDENT TRUMP: Hello, Houston. I am so thrilled to be here in the great state of Texas with one of America's greatest, most devoted, and most loyal friends: Prime Minister Modi of India. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you.

    And Prime Minister Modi is doing a truly exceptional job for India and for all of the Indian people. It is my immense privilege to be here with him today at this profoundly historic event. We're especially grateful to be joined by over 50,000 incredible members of our nation's thriving, prospering, flourishing, and hardworking Indian American community. Thank you. (Applause.)

    Just a few months ago, in the largest democratic election in the history of our world, 600 million Indians went to the polls and voted overwhelmingly for Prime Minister Modi and his party. Congratulations, Mr. Prime Minister. (Applause.) That's a lot of people. (Laughter.)

    Earlier this week, I understand you marked another important milestone. I know everyone here joins me in wishing you a very happy birthday. (Applause.) Happy birthday.

    I want to take a moment to address every resident of Houston affected by the recent horrible flooding. The entire American nation is standing by your side. We're ready. We love you. We support you. We will be there with you every single step of the way.

    I just left the Coast Guard hangar in Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, where I was briefed on the Texas flooding. We are working with your great governor, Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Thank you very much. They're working hard together. (Applause.)

    My administration will not rest until you have fully recovered, restored, and rebuilt. And I know you will come back with the same tremendous spirit that we have shown every single time - every time there's been a problem. It's called "Houston Strong." (Applause.)


    Prime Minister Modi and I have come to Houston to celebrate everything that unites America and India: our shared dreams and bright futures. I've also come to express my profound gratitude to the nearly 4 million amazing Indian Americans all across our country. (Applause.) You enrich our culture, you uphold our values, you uplift our communities, and you are truly proud to be American. And we are proud to have you as Americans. (Applause.) We thank you. We love you. And I want you to know my administration is fighting for you each and every day.

    I want to recognize U.S. Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, and Minister Jaishankar of India. Thank you very much. Thank you both. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

    We're also proudly joined by NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky, your state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a couple of very great senators. Kevin, thank you. Thank you all for being here. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you.

    We have a lot of senators. We have a lot of Congress people. There's Mr. Brady - Congressman Brady. He gave us a very, very nice tax cut, folks. Thank you, Kevin, very much. Thank you all for being here.

    Among the leaders here today for this remarkable celebration are many members of the House and Senate - they're all over the audience - including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and again, Senators Cornyn, Cruz.

    In my campaign for President, I promised all of that. If we were elected, India would have a true and great friend in the White House. And I can tell you, you have never had a better friend as President than President Donald Trump, that I can tell you. (Applause.) The Prime Minister knows that.

    On this day, I'm happy to report that the relationship between the United States and India is stronger than ever before. The ties between our two nations are grounded in our common values and our shared commitment to democracy. We are free nations, with great faith and a fierce devotion to our national independence. We are governed by the rule of law, guided by a commitment to justice, and strengthened by our love of liberty.

    Our two national constitutions both begin with the same three beautiful words: "We the people." (Applause.) That means that in America and India alike, we honor, respect, trust, empower, and fight for the citizens we proudly serve.

    Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the world is witnessing a strong, sovereign, and thriving Republic of India. (Applause.) In a single decade, with the help of Prime Minister Modi's pro-growth reforms, India has lifted nearly 300 million people out of poverty, and that is an incredible number. Incredible. That's incredible. In the next decade, 140 million Indian household will rise to the middle class.

    ...

    Read the full transcript HERE.


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