Size does matter for US President Donald Trump. On February 24, Ahmedabad will outdo Houston when the biggest stadium in the world hosts the most powerful man in the world in what is touted as the greatest show on earth.
The cost of the show in Ahmedabad is said to be over ₹80 crore. Paan shops are being sealed, palms are being hurriedly planted and walls are coming up as part of the city’s beautification. Numbers, too, matter, for Trump. He says he is expecting up to seven million people to welcome him. His facts may not be accurate, but the Trump visit at the moment is all about optics.
Blame Texas. Everything is big in Texas. The ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event added a different dimension even to the large Texan scale. Trump was finally trumped on his home ground. And now, Modi is going to do it again, this time in front of millions, hoping to turn the show into a diplomatic power move. India is rolling out the red carpet and Trump, a reluctant traveller, is ready for the ride.
This is not the first time that Modi has invited Trump to India. An invitation was sent out for last year’s Republic Day function; but the Americans were a little squeamish about endorsing a candidate in an election year. Modi, however, has no such qualms. He is hosting Trump at a time when the US president is launching his reelection campaign knowing fully well that the visit will boost his image back home.
“I view it through the prism of politics,’’ said Harsh Pant, who heads the strategic studies programme at Delhi-based think tank Observer Research Foundation. “Trump is coming to India because at Houston Modi sold him this idea that he has hold over the Indian diaspora. Indian Americans are traditionally Democratic voters and Trump thinks that he has nothing to lose if a few of them come to him.”
Esta historia es de la edición March 01, 2020 de THE WEEK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 01, 2020 de THE WEEK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
