Controversies surrounding Donald Trump's state visit to India

Text by: Côme Bastin Follow

In a week, Donald Trump is treading the soil of India for a state visit. Prepared with great fanfare by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting is already arousing several controversies.

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With our correspondent in Bombay,

This visit is important because the two leaders share geopolitical and economic interests. It is also a return from the elevator, after Narendra Modi's visit to the United States in September 2019. Called “Howdy Modi” - “Hi Modi” in Texas dialect -, she had allowed the Indian Prime Minister to express her views of the Pakistani enemy, with the kindness of Donald Trump. The visit of the American president to India is therefore also seen to be adorned with a slogan: "Namaste Trump" - Welcome Trump in Hindi -.

Trump will begin his visit to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat. This choice was not made at random since it is in this state that Narendra Modi built his political aura as chief minister from 2001 to 2014. The objective is therefore clear: roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump . But a week before the arrival of the American president, critics are already accumulating on this seduction operation set up to welcome him.

13 million euros

The controversy erupted with the construction of a wall. Measuring almost two kilometers in length and two meters in height, it was built all along Donald Trump's journey. It will serve to hide the slums and misery before bringing the American president to speak in a brand new stadium, which cost a whopping 10 million euros. The Times of India also reveals that almost 500,000 euros were spent on flowers to welcome Donald Trump and his partner. In total, thirteen million euros are committed for these two days of visit. Amounts that shocked part of India given the poverty plaguing the country.

A guard of honor for Trump?

But the controversy also reaches the bottom of the visit itself. Donald Trump assures that Modi promised him that 7 million Indians were going to cheer him from the way to the airport. But this leaves some of the analysts skeptical. For its part, the Times of India also recalls that the city of Ahmedabad itself has only 5 million inhabitants.

Even if Trump and Modi share common views on China or Pakistan, the economic fallout from this visit is more than uncertain for India. There is talk of a “ mini-agreement ” on certain products and raw materials, but there is no guarantee that it will succeed. Especially since the American president has just removed India from the list of developing countries. A decision which modifies the commercial rules and which will generate economic losses of 240 million euros for the subcontinent. In short, despite the means deployed by Narendra Modi, the clouds accumulate on this visit to the summit.

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• India
• Narendra Damodardas Modi
• Donald trump
• United States

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