US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pledged that the United States and India would be ‘best friends’ if he is elected and that he would boost intelligence sharing with India in the battle against Islamic militants. He spoke about India as a ‘strategic ally’.
Trump spoke at an event sponsored by the Republican Hindu Coalition to raise money for victims of terrorism. It featured Bollywood-style performers who danced in colourful traditional costumes.
If I’m elected president, the Indian and Hindu community will have a true friend in the White House, that I can guarantee you. We will defeat radical Islamic terrorism when I’m president. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with India in sharing intelligence and keeping our people safe mutually.Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Nominee
Rally Organised by Republican Hindu Coalition
Donald Trump was speaking at a rally organised by the Republican Hindu Coalition. The Coalition’s founder, Shalabh Kumar, is one of Trump’s biggest fundraisers, according to The Washington Post.
The rally’s attendees were spotted holding signs which said “Trump for faster green cards.” Trump also noted that as a real estate developer he has two "massive developments" in India. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had developed a friendly relationship with President Barack Obama.
(Sources: The Washington Post and with agency inputs)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)