Trump India visit highlights: 'Trade deal can happen towards end of 2020'

Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump were accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Later, Trump along with First Lady Melania, visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi

10:53 PM

PM thanks Trump for India visit

As  Donald Trump departed after his neatl' New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) As Donald Trump left for the US after his nearly 36-hour-long visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday night thanked the US President for coming to India. Modi also said, "We have covered great ground as far as strengthening bilateral relations are concerned." This visit, he said, has been a "path-breaking one".

 

"India-USA friendship benefits the people of our nations and the world," Modi said in a series of tweets. "Thank you @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP for coming to India...I am delighted that @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP saw different aspects of Indian culture and hospitality," he said. The people of India welcomed them with immense warmth, Modi said.

 

In another tweet, the prime minister said India is happy to have hosted President Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner. "Your liking towards India is clearly visible ... My best wishes to you in your endeavours to further empowerment and enterprise among women," he said. Modi hoped to see the two "back in India soon". He was responding to a tweet by Ivanka about her visit to Sabarmati ashram on Monday.  "Visiting the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati; home to the ideology that set India free and a wellspring of inspiration and guidance," she had written.

10:49 PM

PM Modi thanks Donald Trump and Melania Trump for coming to India

10:40 PM

US President Donald Trump & First Lady Melania Trump depart from Delhi following two-day visit to India

9:31 PM

VP, PM Modi, AR Rahman, several CMs at President's dinner for Trump

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, music maestro AR Rahman and Chief Ministers of several states were present at the banquet dinner hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind in the honour of US President Donald Trump at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.

 

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were received at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are also present on the occasion.

 

Among other Indian dignitaries present there Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, chef Vikas Khanna, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

 

Melania opted for a subtle yet elegant outfit as she wore a sober pink loosely fitted dress with an accentuated bow around her neckline paired up with matching pants.

 

An elaborate menu that includes multiple vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies has been prepared for the couple.

 

The US President reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan after addressing a press conference in the evening. Earlier in the day, he had held both, restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

8:26 PM

Trump says Weinstein conviction 'sends very strong message'

Harvey Weinstein's conviction of rape and sexual assault was a "great victory" for women and sends a "very strong message", US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. "I think that from the standpoint of women, I think it was a great thing," Trump said at a news conference in India, a day after Weinstein was convicted. "It was a great victory. And sends a very strong message, very, very strong message." The conviction of the once-powerful Hollywood producer was hailed as a historic victory by the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct.

8:25 PM

Trump gets into heated exchange with CNN journo at presser

A heated exchange took place between the US president and CNN journalist Jim Acosta at a press conference on Tuesday after Donald Trump raised questions over the integrity of the TV network. After Acosta asked Trump if he would pledge to reject any foreign interference in the upcoming presidential polls and also questioned his move to appoint a new acting Director of National Intelligence who apparently does not have any intelligence experience, the US president said he does not want any help from any country and hasn't been given help from any country.

 

Trump also spoke of an 'apology' CNN reportedly made recently for reporting false information. Acosta shot back,"Mr President, I think that our record on delivering the truth is a lot better than yours sometimes, if you don't mind me stating." Continuing the verbal sparring, Trump said, "Let me tell you about your record. Your record is so bad you ought to be ashamed of yourself." "I'm not ashamed of anything and our organisation is not ashamed," retorted Acosta. The US president also accused the CNN of having the worst record in broadcasting.

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8:14 PM

Coming to India tremendous learning experience: US President Donald Trump

8:13 PM

Lot of productive work has been done in last 2 days; we are working on major trade and military deals, says US President Donald Trump

8:13 PM

India deeply committed to strategic partnership with the US, says President Kovind to Donald Trump

7:59 PM

US President Donald Trump arrives at Rashtrapati Bhavan for state banquet

7:25 PM

CAA didn't figure in Trump-Modi talks; religious harmony discussed in positive way: FS

The new citizenship law did not come up for discussion between visiting US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday, noting that the two leaders talked about religious harmony in a "positive way".

He said that India and the US held talks in five major categories - security, defence, energy, technology and people-to-people contact, with Trump assuring India highest consideration for collaboration in defence sector.

7:23 PM

India, US have 'almost closed' contours of limited trade pact: Goyal

India and the US have moved to the next level of engagement having "almost closed" the final contours of limited trade package, and will come up with a comprehensive trade deal going forward, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. Goyal was participating in the 'US-India Forum: Partners for Growth' conference. "On the economic front, having almost closed the last contours of the limited trade deal and with the announcement of a much larger trade deal in the offing, we have moved to a new level of engagement," Goyal said.

6:11 PM

'I want reciprocal': Trump on trade deal with India

6:10 PM

US has to be treated fairly: Trump on trade relations with India