Namaste Trump: PM Modi welcomes US President with a hug, Twitter explodes with memes; Amul comes up with topical art

That Modi and Trump share a close and an amicable bond with each other is well-known. From their famous, firm handshake at the G20 Summit to them hugging it out during Modi’s visit to the US, we have seen bromance between the two world leaders grow with each passing day.

So, when POTUS Donald Trump arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Airport in Gujarat, it was expected that the two men would show affection with each other and that’s exactly what happened.

When the Trumps walked out of the ‘Air Force One’, PM Modi welcomed the President with a warm hug. The two then walked together as they enjoyed performances by traditional dancers, organised to showcase Indian culture.

The First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump and Trump’s daughter, American businesswoman Ivanka Trump also in India for the visit are known to make statements with their sartorial choices.

Stepping out of the ‘Air Force One’ at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport, Melania Trump turned heads in a white jumpsuit paired with a belt.

Meanwhile Ivanka Trump also made a statement in a blue dress with pink flowers.

After Trump, Modi and Melania exchanged pleasantries, they left the airport and visited the famous Sabarmati Ashram. For the unversed, Sabarmati Ashram is the place where Mahatma Gandhi spent a majority of his life. It is also the site where he started his famous Satyagrah movement.

Donald and Melania Trump spent about 15 minutes at the Ashram and even visited the room where Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 years of his life.

The First Family tried their hand at spinning the famous charkha, which went on to become one of the most famous symbols of Gandhi’s freedom movement, and also garlanded an image of the Mahatma.

PM Modi also presented a memento of Mahatma Gandhi's ‘Three Wise Monkeys’ to the US President.

Trump also signed the visitor’s book at the Ashram, writing a message for PM Modi.

“To my great friend - Prime Minister Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit!”, wrote Trump.

It would indeed be a cardinal sin to set foot on the Indian soil and not eat some of the most well-known and appreciated delicacies that the subcontinent has to offer. During their 15-minute stay in ‘Hriday Kunj’, the room in Sabarmati where Gandhi stayed, Donald, Melania, Ivanka and Jared Kushner were treated with a high-tea menu.

They were served a delectable spread of authentic Gujarati delicacies like Khaman, samosa made of broccoli and corn, chai and kaju-katli.

It wasn’t just Indian fare on offer. The spread also includes juice, assorted cookies, fortune cookies and apple pie in case the guests wanted a taste of home.

Bon appetit, indeed!

President Trump, First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, and PM Modi arrived at the Motera Stadium in Gujarat to kickstart the ‘Namaste Trump’ event.

Trump addressed the crowd present at the stadium and spoke at length about the achievements of the Modi government - from providing electricity to villages in the country to making India a country that rises by setting its people free.

From quoting Swami Vivekananda to lauding PM Modi’s journey from a ‘Chaiwallah’ to the Prime Minister of the country, there was plenty of Hindi wordplay in Trump’s speech.

“While our nations have many differences, they are both defined and propelled by a fundamental truth, the truth that all of us are endowed with a sacred soul, as the great religious teacher, Swami Vivekananda once said, ‘the moment I stand in reverence before every human being, and seek God in him, that moment, I am free’.”