Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has praised the Hindu community’s “fantastic” contributions to world civilisation and American culture.
Trump also confirmed that he would be addressing an Indian-American event in New Jersey in October, the proceeds of which will benefit global victims of Islamic terror.
The Hindu community has made fantastic contributions to world civilisation and to American culture and we look forward to celebrating our shared values of free enterprise, hard work, family values, and a strong American foreign policy.Donald Trump
He issued a short 24-second video message inviting Indian-Americans to attend the “incredible” event on 15 October.
I am looking forward to joining my good friend Shalli Kumar, founder and chairman of the Republican Hindu Coalition for this terrific event.
Kumar, who on Sunday was appointed by Trump to his advisory committee for people from Asia Pacific region, said he expects some 10,000 people to be present at the event. This is the first time in the last two presidential elections that a presidential candidate has confirmed attendance at a public Indian-American event.
Trump’s decision is seen as an attempt to woo the small but powerful Indian-American community who can play a key role in some of the battleground States like Virginia if the race goes down to the wire.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has held and attended a series of fundraisers organised by Indian-Americans across the country, including at their homes, however these events have been held away from the public glare.
Clinton, often pejoratively called the ‘Senator from Punjab’ owing to her financial ties to India, has a large following among the Indian-Americans but is yet to make any public appearances before the community.
But she has appointed a large number of Indian-Americans in her campaign team. A recent Pew Survey had said that Indian-Americans overwhelmingly vote for Democrats.
(With inputs from PTI)
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