Indo-US trade on US President Donald Trump's mind

A police personnel uses binoculars to keep vigil at Sardar Patel Stadium, which will host the 'Namaste Trump' event. Pics/PTI

When Air Force One touches down at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on February 24, around noon, Donald Trump will become the fourth US president to visit India in his first term and the first to visit Gujarat. America is already in election mode with the Democratic Party conducting their debates before picking their contender to take on Trump in November of this year, hence these 36 hours will be in as sharp a focus in the US as in India.

India and the US, meanwhile, are likely to finalise five pacts, including trade facilitation, homeland security and intellectual property rights. "The visit will focus on several key areas, including building economic and energy ties between India and the US. Just to note that two-way trade in goods and services exceeded $142 billion in 2018, and there's certainly much more room to grow, particularly in energy," said officials in the US state department.

After Gujarat, the President, who will be joined by a 12-person official delegation, will visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. The team will then fly to New Delhi and receive a ceremonial welcome, attend bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister on Tuesday, apart from holding a business event with Indian investors, with a special focus on companies that are investing in manufacturing in the US.

36
No. of hours that the US Prez will be in India

Kejriwal to skip Melania's school event

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia are unlikely to be present when US First Lady Melania Trump visits a Delhi government-run school in the national capital on February 25, according to sources. As per the original schedule, both Kejriwal and Sisodia were to accompany Melania Trump during her visit to the school, people familiar with the matter said. Kejriwal and Sisodia were also to brief the US First Lady about the "happiness curriculum" introduced by the AAP government, sources said. When contacted, a US embassy spokesperson referred the query to the Delhi government.

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