Why is Narendra Modi giving a rally in a stadium in Houston, TX?

[octoberlib]

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2019, 02:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Why is he here? I know he excites the Republicans with his ethnic cleansing of Muslims but what's the point here?

Link to tweet

Trump makes a reference to jointly fighting "radical Islamic terrorism" and gets a rousing applause. A message India will see as vindicating the approach to Pakistan #HowdyModi

Link to tweet

Massive protest against Modi outside the stadium!
While Modi openly campaigning for Trump's re- election on the American soil. #AdiosModi #HowdyModi

Link to tweet

This is ironic since Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by a member of the RSS, which Modi has been a lifelong member of.

[kentuck]

1. Good questions!

I suppose Trump helped him pick his location?

[octoberlib]

2. Probably or maybe some Texas R's. Philip Rucker of WaPo is there . I hope he writes an article

with more info.

[octoberlib]

5. More info

Organisers hope to keep the September 22 rally non-partisan, with a cultural performance planned and invited speakers including Steny Hoyer, the number-two Democrat in the House of Representatives.

The joint event showcases "the personal chemistry and friendship" between Trump and Modi, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Indian ambassador to the United States, told AFP news agency."These are two leaders who are used to thinking outside of the box," he said, describing the joint appearance as "unconventional and unique."

"The event will also reflect the strong bipartisan support there has been for US-India relations," he said, describing Indian-Americans as an "organic bridge" between the world's two largest democracies.Shringla said that Modi would also meet in Houston with energy companies before heading to New York for the UN General Assembly.

Earlier this month, the Indian ambassador tweeted a photo of his meeting with Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist. He deleted the tweet hours later after he was criticised for meeting Banon, who has been accused of pandering to white supremacists in the US.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/modi-trump-join-india-modi-houston-gathering-190916054526096.html

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

3. hashtag HowdyModi

lol

[Mike 03]

4. It's CrazyTown for sure. Just think: Houston is recovering from another 500-Year Flood

and it's hard to fathom who is attending this, or why. If Modi hadn't just been re-elected I'd have guessed this rally would help him a lot more than it would help Trump. Nothing makes sense anymore.

[dalton99a]

6. Modi loves Nazis

[comradebillyboy]

7. Houston has a large Indian community I think...nt

[Mersky]

8. Lighten-up a bit on following news for a few days?

Then something like this happens. There’s always something. I’ve been more concerned with Imelda’s impact.

Modi and tRump at NRG in Houston. Bleh, pandering parade of haters. I’ll watch for additional coverage i.e., Rucker’s take, etc., then be sure to call armchair cornyn’s office with my displeasure.

Steny Hoyer’s there as well. Glad there’s sizable a protest presence.

[octoberlib]

9. It's exhausting. And I hope no more rain heads your way for awhile.

[Mersky]

13. Thanks, yeah, they've certainly received too much

I’m currently in central Tx, and the weather forecast over the Imelda days could not have been more different two hours east from me. Cancelled school and standing water in yards is about what my friends and family experienced. I’m saddened for those further east and looking to donate to a couple of causes helping with the aftermath.

Haven’t followed Houston news directly for a couple weeks, and didn’t know of modi’s visit. Am brainstorming on how to rise above the push and pull between local, national, and editorializing news.

Thank you for your kind sentiments

[Hekate]

10. Naked global corruption

[LeftInTX]

11. Lots of Indians in Houston

Hindus in America overall tend to support Modi, even if they don't support Trump.

They like Modi's economic policies and also some domestic programs (toilets).

Keep in mind India has a severe toilet shortage. I guess it is easy to overlook minority groups when dealing with a toilet shortage. I wouldn't want to travel back home and not have a toilet.

Since we don't have toilet shortage here, I can't relate.

[Vinca]

12. I'm getting really tired of taxpayer-funded MAGA rallies. That's what this was.

Modi could be the first of many.