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Trump arrives in India on official visit

NEW DELHI, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump arrived in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat on Monday morning in his first India visit amid growing trade tension and ongoing protests in the country over the amended citizenship law.
Trump touched down as part of his two-day trip in Ahmedabad city, which is considered to be the stronghold of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who he ruled for several years before coming to New Delhi to head the central government. The US President is scheduled to inaugurate the biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad where he will be accorded a mass welcome named 'Namaste Trump', meaning Welcome Trump.
He is also slated to hold talks with President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Premier Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi after paying a short visit to the famous Taj Mahal in Agra along with First Lady Melania.
Despite several tensions and trade wars, India is considered to be a US ally in Asia to counter balance the rising influence of China in the region, especially in the Indo-Pacific. The visit comes amid growing trade-related tension between the two nations, as India had hiked tariffs for 28 US products in retaliation for the US, cancelling a duty-free benefits programme.
Apart from trade and other bilateral issues, talks between the two sides would touch upon some of the pressing internal, regional and global issues of mutual concern. Religious freedom would be one of the talking points since India was rocked by massive protests over the amendment of citizenship law, which is considered by many as discriminatory against the minority Muslims.
Tension surrounding Kashmir issue may also figure in the discussions as a constitutional amendment to the effect of removing a partial self-rule enjoyed by the only Muslim-majority state, causing internal and regional tension. Both India and Pakistan have territorial claims over parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. (end) atk.hb