‘Howdy, Modi!’: Over 50,000 including Donald Trump attend Indian PM’s rally in US

US President Donald Trump joined the Indian diaspora in the US state of Texas on Sunday for the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ rally.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and US President Donald J. Trump greet the crowd of over fifty thousand at 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston Source: AAP Image/EPA/PATRIC SCHNEIDER

The leaders of world’s two largest democracies, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set the trade tensions between the two countries aside and appeared together before a roaring crowd of over 50,000 Indian-Americans and Non-Resident Indians in Texas on Sunday.

Prime Minister Modi opened the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ rally at Houston city’s NRG Stadium by showering praises on President Trump.

"From CEO to commander-in-chief, from boardrooms to the Oval Office, from studios to the global stage…he has left a lasting impact everywhere," PM Modi said, with the US president standing by his side.

PM Modi also commended Trump's administration for celebrating Diwali at the White House and talked about the relationship between the United States and India.

"India has a true friend in the White House," PM Modi said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and US President Donald J. Trump (L) speak to a crowd of over fifty thousand at the 'Howdy Modi' community summit. Source: AAP Image/EPA/PATRIC SCHNEIDER

President Trump reciprocated when he took the stage and said the relationship between the two nations was stronger than ever.

"You (India) have never had a better friend as President as President Donald Trump," President Trump said at NRG Stadium Sunday afternoon.

"Under PM Modi’s leadership, the world is witnessing a strong, sovereign republic of India."

To the huge Indian diaspora present at the event, President Trump said, "We are proud to have you as Americans. We thank you, we love you, and my administration is fighting for you every day."

Over four million people of Indian descent call America home.

Crowds chant as they wait for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald J. Trump to speak at the 'Howdy Modi' summit at NRG Stadium in Houston Source: AAP Image/EPA/PATRIC SCHNEIDER

Modi talks about Article 370

Before the event, the Indian PM met a group of Kashmiri Pandits who congratulated and thanked him for removing Article 370 which gave a special status to Kashmir.

“The trouble you have gone through, is not less either,” the PM told the group present.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan this week.

With President Trump seated in the first row at the event, PM Modi took the opportunity to hit out at Pakistan which has protested against India’s decision to remove Article 370 and took up the matter with the United States recently.

“India’s decision on Article 370 has troubled some people, who can’t manage their own country,” PM Modi said, without naming Pakistan.

In August, India removed Article 370 that gave special semi-autonomous status to the Kashmir region and launched a massive lockdown in the region.

While thousands gathered inside the NRG Stadium in Houston to catch a glimpse of PM Modi, others gathered outside the rally venue to protest against the Kashmir lockdown and the decision to scrap Article 370.

One of the largest advocacy organisation of Indian Muslims in the United States, the Indian American Muslim Council held ‘Adios Modi’ protest outside the stadium.

Demonstrators in opposition of India prime minister Navendra Modi protest outside NRG Stadium Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Houston. Source: AAP Image/Godofredo A. VÃsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP