"Howdy, Modi!" event: PM Modi with CEOs from the energy sector in Houston

Ahead of the highly-anticipated "Howdy, Modi!" event today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the CEOs of top energy sector companies in the US at a roundtable discussion in Houston, his first engagement since his arrival in the country on Saturday. He also interacted with members of Dawoodi Bohra, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikh communities.

He is in the US for his week-long tour, which will feature a grand event "Howdy, Modi" in Houston, Texas. US President Donald Trump will share the stage with PM Modi at the massive gathering of Indian-Americans at a football stadium with a seating capacity of over 50,000. This will be the first time that the leaders of the two countries share a stage at an Indian-American community event.

On his arrival, the prime minister was received by US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other senior officials at the George Bush International Airport. "Howdy Houston! It's a bright afternoon here in Houston. Looking forward to a wide range of programmes in this dynamic and energetic city today and tomorrow," PM Modi tweeted. PM Modi will then fly to New York, where he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly.

Here are the Highlights of "Howdy, Modi!" Houston Event:

Sep 22, 2019 17:20 (IST) "Howdy, Modi!" 140 buses carrying 7,000 Indian-Americans from Texas start to reach NRG stadium in Houston, Texas



"140 Buses carrying 7000 Indian-Americans from all over Texas have already started arriving at NRG Stadium for #HowdyModi Event," tweeted Prasar Bharati news service.









Sep 22, 2019 17:08 (IST) See Pics: "Excited to see Modi, get words of wisdom from him," say "Howdy, Modi!" attendees gathering outside NRG stadium in Houston



"We are excited to see Modi, expect to hear from him, & get words of wisdom from him because he is an inspiration for the country and people around the globe," an attendee was quoted as saying to news agency ANI.















Sep 22, 2019 16:55 (IST) Read Here: Howdy Modi Houston Event: Donald Trump May Deliver 30-Minute Speech: Report

US President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a major, 30-minute speech on India and Indian Americans at the "Howdy, Modi!" event here in the world's energy capital on Sunday, which US officials asserted would bring fresh energy in the long-lasting relationship between the two democracies. US President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a major, 30-minute speech on India and Indian Americans at the "Howdy, Modi!" event here in the world's energy capital on Sunday, which US officials asserted would bring fresh energy in the long-lasting relationship between the two democracies.

Sep 22, 2019 16:05 (IST) Read Here: Modi In US: Who Will Speak First? PM Modi, Trump To Share Stage At "Howdy, Modi"

Anticipation is running high hours before the "Howdy, Modi!" event at Houston in the United States where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share stage with US President Donald Trump. More than 50,000 Indian-Americans are expected to attend the mega event and it's not yet clear yet who will address the event first - PM Modi or Donald Trump. Anticipation is running high hours before the "Howdy, Modi!" event at Houston in the United States where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share stage with US President Donald Trump. More than 50,000 Indian-Americans are expected to attend the mega event and it's not yet clear yet who will address the event first - PM Modi or Donald Trump.

Sep 22, 2019 15:37 (IST) Read Here: "Howdy Houston": PM To Address Packed Texas Stadium Today - 10 Points

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today address over 50,000 people in Texas at a sold-out event billed by the organisers as the largest-ever turnout for a foreign elected leader on US soil. Indian and US officials received him at Houston airport on Saturday. US President Donald Trump will join PM Modi at the event, 'Howdy, Modi!', organised by the Texas India Forum. "Howdy Houston! It's a bright afternoon here in Houston. Looking forward to a wide range of programmes in this dynamic and energetic city today and tomorrow," PM Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister will hold several bilateral meetings and address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during his week-long stay in the US. The US and India may agree to a limited trade deal to lower some tariffs on US produce and restore preferential treatment for some Indian exports to the US, news agency Reuters reported. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who will also speak at the UNGA, is likely to raise the Kashmir issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today address over 50,000 people in Texas at a sold-out event billed by the organisers as the largest-ever turnout for a foreign elected leader on US soil. Indian and US officials received him at Houston airport on Saturday. US President Donald Trump will join PM Modi at the event, 'Howdy, Modi!', organised by the Texas India Forum. "Howdy Houston! It's a bright afternoon here in Houston. Looking forward to a wide range of programmes in this dynamic and energetic city today and tomorrow," PM Modi tweeted. The Prime Minister will hold several bilateral meetings and address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during his week-long stay in the US. The US and India may agree to a limited trade deal to lower some tariffs on US produce and restore preferential treatment for some Indian exports to the US, news agency Reuters reported. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who will also speak at the UNGA, is likely to raise the Kashmir issue.

Sep 22, 2019 13:13 (IST) President Trump's speech at "Howdy, Modi!" is expected to be of 30 minutes

US President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a major, 30-minute speech on India and Indian Americans at the "Howdy, Modi!" event in Houston in the world's energy capital on Sunday, which US officials asserted would bring fresh energy in the long-lasting relationship between the two democracies.

Contrary to what was reported earlier, President Trump, the 45th president of the United States, is no longer making a guest appearance or making a notional brief remark at the diaspora event.

President Trump, who as a Republican presidential candidate in 2016 promised to be India's best friend, is flying to Houston only to attend the "Howdy, Modi!" event.

As per the schedule released by the White House on late Saturday night, Mr Trump will spend 100 minutes at the NRG Stadium.

While the duration of his speech is not yet known, it is believed his remarks could last as long as 30 minutes.

He is also expected to be present in the audience during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address.

More than 50,000 Indian-Americans from across the country have registered for the "Howdy, Modi!" event, the largest-ever gathering of this minority but effluent ethnic community in the US.

"By coming to Houston and attending the "Howdy, Modi!" event, he (Trump) has won the hearts of Indian-Americans. He will earn more votes from Indian Americans in the 2020 presidential elections," eminent Indian-American community leader from Indiana, Bharat Barai told PTI in an interview.

Mr Barai, a close friend of PM Modi, had organised the historic Madison Square Garden event in New York in 2014.

"Leaders of the two largest democracies in the world addressing more than 50,000 people from one platform is historic. This will further cement India-US relationship," Mr Barai said.

"It will be a great opportunity to emphasise the strong ties between the people of the United States and India, to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the world''s oldest and largest democracies, and to discuss ways to deepen their energy and trade relationship," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham had said last week.

From Houston, Mr Trump will travel to Wapakoneta in Ohio, where he will be joined by Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison for a tour of a new Australian-owned manufacturing facility.

From Ohio, Mr Trump will fly to New York to attend the annual session of the UN General Assembly.

On Monday he is scheduled to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. A day later, Trump would hold a formal bilateral dialogue with PM Modi in New York.

Sep 22, 2019 10:31 (IST) Surinder Kaul, representing the Kashmiri Pandit community said, "PM told us you've suffered a lot. Together we have to build a new Kashmir. Our youth presented him the messages that the community had prepared for him. I presented a memorandum on behalf of the community. He gladly accepted it."

"We thanked him on behalf of the 700,000 Kashmiri Pandits all over the globe for such a historic decision. We assured him that our community will work with the government to fulfill the dream for a Kashmir which is peaceful, full of growth and where people are happy," he said.

Sep 22, 2019 10:27 (IST) PM Meets Energy Sector CEOs In Houston, Says Impossible To Come To Houston And Not Talk About Energy

Ahead of the highly-anticipated "Howdy, Modi!" event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top energy sector CEOs at a round table meeting at Houston on Saturday, his first engagement since arrival in the United States. Ahead of the highly-anticipated "Howdy, Modi!" event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top energy sector CEOs at a round table meeting at Houston on Saturday, his first engagement since arrival in the United States.

Sep 22, 2019 09:24 (IST) Discussed methods to harness opportunities in energy sector: PM

It is impossible to come to Houston and not talk energy!



Had a wonderful interaction with leading energy sector CEOs. We discussed methods to harness opportunities in the energy sector.



Also witnessed the signing of MoU between Tellurian and Petronet LNG. pic.twitter.com/COEGYupCEt - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 08:10 (IST) Delegation of Kashmiri Pandit community meets PM Modi

In Houston, a delegation of the Kashmiri Pandit community met the Prime Minister. They unequivocally supported the steps being taken for the progress of India and empowerment of every Indian. pic.twitter.com/KrIYemBBKB - PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 22, 2019 #WATCH United States: A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits meets and interacts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A member kisses PM Modi's hands and says, "Thank you on behalf of 7 Lakh Kashmiri Pandits." pic.twitter.com/8xKBqNlOvM - ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 08:07 (IST) Dawoodi Bohra community felicitates PM

The Dawoodi Bohra community felicitates PM @narendramodi in Houston. They recall PM Modi's visit to Indore last year to attend a programme of their community as well as highlight PM Modi's association with Syedna Sahib. pic.twitter.com/PBOd0k0PTv - PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 22, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 08:05 (IST) Avinder Chawla, sitting Commissioner, Arvin, California said, "We submitted a memorandum & thanked Modiji for what he has done for Sikh community. We thanked him for Kartarpur corridor."

Avinder Chawla, sitting Commissioner, Arvin, California: We submitted a memorandum & thanked Modi ji for what he has done for Sikh community. We thanked him for Kartarpur corridor. President Trump is coming here tomorrow (at Howdy Modi), shows how important a leader PM Modi is. pic.twitter.com/iLSBKlcOFg - ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 07:32 (IST) PM Modi interacts with members of Sikh community in Houston

Submitting the memorandum, the Sikh community requested PM to address the issues of, 1984 Sikh riots, dedicating Delhi airport to Guru Nanak Dev International Airport, Article 25 of Indian Constitution and Anand Marriage Act, visa and passport renewal of asylees.

Sep 22, 2019 07:13 (IST) Sikh community in Houston welcomes PM Modi

Here is now the Sikh community in Houston welcomed PM @narendramodi.



The Prime Minister interacted with the members of the community, during which they congratulated PM Modi on some of the pathbreaking decisions taken by the Government of India. pic.twitter.com/P3Y3qU0b1n - PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 22, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 07:11 (IST) PM's meeting with energy sector CEOs focussed on working together

PM Modi had a "fruitful" meeting with CEOs from the energy sector on the first day of his week-long US visit in Houston , the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

It added that the meeting focussed on working together for energy security and expanding mutual investment opportunities between India and the United States.

"Getting straight to business. PM @narendramodi just concluded a fruitful interaction with top energy sector CEOs at a Roundtable meeting in #Houston. Discussion focussed on working together for energy security and expanding mutual investment opportunities between India & US," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had posted on Twitter a couple of photographs of Modi's meeting with the chief executive officers (CEOs) of some of the top oil companies based in the US.

"Further energising India-USA friendship. Among the first engagements of PM @narendramodi in Houston is a meeting with CEOs from the energy sector. India and USA are looking to diversify cooperation in this sector," the PMO tweeted.

Sep 22, 2019 06:51 (IST) PM Modi's visit great thing for Houston, say Indian Americans

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump jointly addressing the "Howdy Modi" event here in the energy capital of the world is "historic" and a direct endorsement of India's Kashmir policy by the United States, Indian Americans said.

Describing it as a historic moment for the Indian American community, Rakesh Mangal, former president of the Indian American Doctors' Association, Houston, said Trump attending the "Howdy Modi" event says how important India is to the entire world, especially to the US.

Observing that "Howdy Modi" is one of the largest events of Indian Americans that he has seen in his lifetime, Krishna Bansal from Chicago said this is not only "going to be a game-changer" for the community and Indo-US ties, but also for the entire world.

Ritesh Gupta, who flew to Houston from New York, said he had attended the previous two public events of PM Modi in the US and is excited to be part of the historic "Howdy Modi".

"We are here to welcome Prime Minister Modi for the work he is doing for the Sikh community. He is doing a great job as the prime minister. He has performed far better than any other prime minister of India in the last 70 years," Satpal Singh Khalsa, who has come to Houston from New Mexico, said.

Stating that PM Modi is taking India on the fast path of development that will make it a superpower, he said, "His reforms are a road to success."

Mr Singh is part of the Sikh delegation that will urge Modi to work with President Trump on mistaken identity.

Responding to a question, he said Sikhs and other religious minorities in India are safe.

"I do not understand why a small minority of Sikhs in the US and Canada is demanding a separate Sikh homeland," Mr Singh said, adding that the global Sikh community wants a strong Punjab.

Sep 22, 2019 05:39 (IST) Further energising India-USA friendship.



Among the first engagements of PM @narendramodi in Houston is a meeting with CEOs from the energy sector.



India and USA are looking to diversify cooperation in this sector. pic.twitter.com/uqlozcTOAZ - PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 21, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 05:32 (IST) After 'Howdy, Modi!', PM And Trump May Agree To Lower Tariffs On Exports

The United States and India are racing to negotiate a limited trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can sign at the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the end of September, people familiar with the talks said The United States and India are racing to negotiate a limited trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can sign at the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the end of September, people familiar with the talks said

Sep 22, 2019 05:32 (IST) PM Modi met CEOs from the energy sector on the first day of his week-long US visit to Houston. "Further energising India-USA friendship. Among the first engagements of PM @narendramodi in Houston is a meeting with CEOs from the energy sector. India and USA are looking to diversify cooperation in this sector," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a tweet.

It also posted a couple of photographs from the meeting, which was attended by the chief executive officers (CEOs) of some top oil companies based in the United States.

The prime minister is scheduled to address over 50,000 Indian-Americans at the "Howdy, Modi" event on Sunday, in which he will be joined by US President Donald Trump.

The event at the sprawling NRG football stadium here will be the largest gathering ever for an elected foreign leader visiting the US, other than the Pope. Unites States: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the CEOs from the energy sector in Houston. pic.twitter.com/b47sR5E8M8 - ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2019

Sep 22, 2019 05:32 (IST) PM Modi holds round table meeting with CEOs from the oil sector in Houston, Texas.



Sep 22, 2019 05:31 (IST) PM Modi was greeted by a group of Indian-Americans waiving the Indian flag.



(Image tweeted by @narendramodi) (Image tweeted by @narendramodi)