Crowds of Enthusiastic Indians Greet Trump as Air Force One Touches Down in Ahmedabad

Air Force One carrying US President Donald J. Trump has landed in Ahmedabad, India, to cheering onlookers.

On his way to a summit meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, US President Donald J. Trump tweeted in Hindi, one of India's three national languages.

"We look forward to coming to India. We are on the way, we will meet everyone in a few hours!" he said, according to Google Translate.

In response, Modi tweeted: "India looks forward to welcoming @POTUS, @realDonaldTrump. It is an honour that he will be with us tomorrow, starting with the historic programme in Ahmedabad!" Narendra Modi @narendramodi

The Trump administration has seen India has a counterbalance to China. With a similar sized population of over 1 billion, and an expanding economy, India provides the US with investment opportunities and expanding potential markets similar to China's.

The Trump administration did sign a deal early this year, settling trade disputes with the People's Republic of China, at least on a "Phase One" basis. On the other hand, some see China as a continuing strategic threat to the US, due to its naval expansion and authoritarian Communist practices.

The 2 leaders will discuss trade, arms sales, and strategic cooperation in an official State visit. The Trump Administration could offer to sell advanced fighter aircraft, as a counterbalance to Pakistan (which already buys F-18E's and even F-35's from the US).

The Corona virus epidemic is expected to curtail the $60 billion in US farm exports that China committed to buy this harvest season, so the two men may discuss possible countervailing purchase commitments from India.

India is often called the world's largest democracy. Regular elections are held. Some have compared Narendra Modi to Trump, in his populism, and his apparent embrace of Hindi nationalism.