US President Donald Trump is likely to be accompanied by a heavy-duty cabinet delegation, which will include son-in law Jared Kushner , USTR Robert Lighthizer, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, secretary of treasury Steve Mnuchin , secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross and director, Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney .

Government sources said senior members of Trump’s team may come in advance or with the President himself. He will be visiting Ahmedabad, Agra and Delhi in a visit that will last under 36 hours but will be packed with spectacle. This will also be the fifth meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Trump in the past eight months.

Describing the US-India relationship as one of the “most consequential” partnerships, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “It is a strategic partnership based on shared values and geared towards the 21st century. Whether in countering terrorism or in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, India and the US have unprecedented convergence of interests.”

On the trade deal which is now officially off the table for the present, senior government sources said overall trade with the US had actually increased and would touch $160 billion soon. “It was mutually agreed that we should not rush into the deal. Any trade deal will impact lives here and have long-term economic consequences. We don’t want to take decisions for the short term,” an official said.

The visit will have all the protocol paraphernalia of a state visit, but the spectacular part will be reserved for the few hours Trump and Modi spend together in Ahmedabad. Trump will land in Ahmedabad late morning on February 24. He will be greeted with Indian hospitality and diversity, Shringla said. His journey to Motera Stadium will be like a curated version of the Republic Day parade.

“The route of their travel to the stadium is expected to have tens of thousands of ordinary citizens as well as artistes showcasing performing arts from different states and UTs. As many as 28 stages representing various parts of the country are being set up along the route, in what is being called the India Road Show. The route will also feature decorations depicting different events in the life of Gandhiji , whose association with the city are well known,” Shringla said.

Reflecting Trump’s tweet that he had been promised “millions” of people, there would be people not only lining the streets but also the gateway of the stadium, which will be filled to capacity. Ironically, Trump will inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium though the US doesn’t actually play the sport.

Trump and Modi will address the gathering in the giant stadium, which will have huge screens that will follow the US President’s progress from the airport. Following this event, Trump and wife Melania will head to Agra where they will spend a few hours viewing the Taj Mahal, landing in Delhi in the evening on February 24.

The next day will have official engagements, with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, visit to Rajghat, which will be followed by restricted and delegation-level talks with the Indian side. “The talks will be comprehensive and cover issues relating to our strategic partnership in the areas of defence, security, counter-terrorism, as well as trade, energy, people-to-people exchanges and other bilateral matters. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interests,” the official said.

Modi will host lunch for Trump, which will be followed by a press conference. In the afternoon, the President will have events at the US embassy, a business event and a meeting with embassy staff. In the evening, he will meet President Ram Nath Kovind, who will host a state banquet for him. Trump will leave for Washington on the night of February 25.

