HOUSTON, Sept 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – US President Donald Trump and Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday declared themselves united in a
relentless fight against “terrorism,” vowing a close, personal alliance in
front of tens of thousands of Indian-Americans.
The two leaders, like-minded nationalists fond of fiery rallies and
skeptical of traditional media, heaped praise on each other in an unusual
joint appearance inside a football stadium in Houston.
To the bhangra beats of four drummers in saffron turbans, Trump in his dark
suit and Modi in a yellow kurta and vest made a grand entrance with arms
clenched together to ecstatic cheers from a crowd estimated by organizers at
50,000.
Trump won his biggest applause when he told the crowd, many wearing the
saffron of India’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, “We are
committed to protecting innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic
terrorism.”
Taking the flavor of one of Trump’s own boisterous rallies, Modi later
asked the crowd to give a standing ovation to Trump for his stance.
Trump has stood by the Indian leader during controversial decisions this
year, including his revocation of autonomy for Muslim-majority Kashmir and
his order for jets to enter Pakistani territory in response to a suicide
bombing.
With Trump watching in the front row and listening to the translation, Modi
made clear reference to rival Pakistan, which controls part of Kashmir and
has sought to rally international attention over the Himalayan territory.
Modi said he was seeking equal status and development for Kashmir, adding
that his actions were “causing discomfort to some people unable to manage
their own country” and who “nurture terrorism.”
“These people have put their hatred of India at the center of their
political agenda,” Modi said.
India accuses Pakistan of arming Islamic militants who have fought its rule
in Kashmir.
But India has also faced strong criticism from human rights activists for
shutting down virtually all internet and cellular communications across much
of Kashmir.
Protesters gathered outside of the NRG Stadium with placards and shirts
that said, “Free Kashmir” and accused Modi of violating religious freedom —
a cause frequently evoked by the Trump administration. – Some Democrats take
distance –
The event — dubbed, with a Texan twang, “Howdy, Modi!” — was billed as
the largest gathering ever by a foreign leader other than the pope in the
United States.
Hoping to ensure that it remains bipartisan, organizers also invited
prominent Democrats.
Steny Hoyer, the second-top Democrat in the House of Representatives,
pledged that both major US parties wanted strong relations with India — but
gently voiced concern, pointing to India’s historic “respect for secularism
and human rights.”
“Americans and Indians must strive to make our promises and aspirations a
reality for all our citizens,” he said with Modi at his side.
Presidential contender Bernie Sanders, who did not attend, was more direct,
saying that Trump showed a “deafening silence” on the clampdown in Kashmir.
“I know that when a president stays silent in the face of religious
persecution, repression and brutality, the dangerous message this sends to
authoritarian leaders around the world is, ‘Go ahead, you can get away with
it,'” Sanders wrote in the Houston Chronicle.
– Electoral prospects –
Trump grinned broadly while Modi heaped praise on him, complementing him on
his wit and even invoking the president’s “Make America Great Again” slogan
as he hailed the state of the US economy.
But Indian-Americans voted overwhelmingly for his rival Hillary Clinton in
2016.
Houston, one of the most ethnically diverse cites in the United States, is
ground zero in the Democratic Party’s inroads in Texas, a must-win state for
Trump next year.
Speaking of his record as if on the campaign trail, Trump made no mention
of many Indians’ concerns over US visa policy — but highlighted his efforts
to turn back undocumented immigrants from Central America.
“We are going to take care of our Indian-American citizens before we take
care of illegal immigrants that want to pour into our country,” Trump said.
Hardly known for his celebrations of ethnic diversity, Trump said to
Indian-Americans, “We love you.”
“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,” he said.
Sporting a vest in yellow embroidery from Modi’s home state of Gujarat as
well as a cap in the Indian tricolor, Bhavin Parikh of Sacramento, California
said he wanted to show support for Modi and called the event “historic” due
to Trump’s presence.
But he demurred on whether the gathering indicated backing Trump.
“It is not a question of Democrat or Republican. It’s the American
president supporting the Indian prime minister,” he said.