US Frets Over Ivanka’s Visit to Hyderabad, Withholds Travel Info
Ivanka Trump’s visit to Hyderabad for the GES is under tight wraps and could be cancelled if threats are too high.
Ivanka Trump’s scheduled visit to India for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) has sent US security officials into a tizzy.
Ivanka, daughter of and advisor to US President Donald Trump, is expected to visit Hyderabad for the three-day summit in the last week of November. However, the US government believes that the threat perception to Ivanka, in terms of her first Asia visit is ‘very high’. If officials feel that too much information about her movements have been made public they may cancel her visit over security concerns, reports The News Minute.
PM Modi extended an invitation to Ivanka at the White House during his visit to the US in June. She later tweeted her confirmation.
Heavy-Duty Security Arrangements in Place
Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary, Information Technology and Commerce, Telangana government, told reporters that when he had contacted the concerned US officials to inquire whether somebody from the state government was required to pick up Ivanka from the airport, they had refused since that would mean they would have to disclose a part of her travel information.
He added that the information being shared on social media, regarding the time of her arrival in Hyderabad and other related information, were all ‘rumours’.
However, what we do know is that Ivanka is expected to attend the inaugural ceremony from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). Along with Modi, she is supposed to walk through the HICC corridor where exhibits highlighting the achievements of India will be displayed.
She is also meant to attend the dinner which being hosted by the Prime Minister at Taj Falaknuma, a palace hotel. And on the following day, she is scheduled to speak at a session on "women first, prosperity for all" which is also the theme of the summit.
Also Read: UNGA: Sushma Meets Ivanka Trump, Discusses Women’s Empowerment
The GES is scheduled to be held on 28 November. South Block sources told Indian Express that while Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai were among options, the planning committee zeroed in on Hyderabad for its international clientele and infrastructure.
Beggars Removed from Hyderabad Streets
In light of Ivanka’s visit, Hyderabad authorities have rounded up more than 200 beggars in the past week and have transported them to separate male and female shelter homes located on the grounds of two city prisons. According to Livemint, they are trying to strictly enforce a begging ban on the city’s streets and in other public places.
Also Read: Hyderabad Police ‘Bans’ Beggars Ahead of Ivanka Trump’s Visit?
Actor Deepika Padukone and cricketer MS Dhoni, who had been invited to attend the three-day event, have officially stated that they will not be able to attend. Deepika was expected to speak at a session on ‘Hollywood to Nollywood to Bollywood: The Path to Moviemaking’ on 29 November.
Also Read: Deepika Pulls Out of Summit to be Attended by PM Modi
The NITI Aayog in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Andhra Pradesh government have been assigned with organising the event.
According to the US State Department, the GES brings together investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to create new opportunities for collaboration.
The GES was started in 2010 under the leadership of then US President Barack Obama at Washington DC, and this is the eighth edition. It has been hosted in Istanbul, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Marrakesh, Nairobi, and Silicon Valley previously.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie Blair, ICICI Bank's CEO Chanda Kochhar and Telangana's IT Minister KT Rama Rao are reported to be the other speakers at the event.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
(This is a developing story and will be updated)
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