Handshakes, hugs for Modi, Trump
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump found out yesterday that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a hugger.
Modi swooped in for two big bear hugs with Trump during their joint statements in the Rose Garden, wrapping his arms around Trump’s midsection and ending their first embrace with a lingering handshake.
After wrapping up his own remarks, the much shorter Modi hugged Trump a second time, placing his head close to the president’s shoulder.
Modi offered yet another embrace as he departed the White House. After shaking Trump’s hand, Modi went in for a third and final public hug.
Trump welcomed the parting gesture, patting Modi kindly on the back.
Trump welcomed Modi to the White House for their first in-person meeting and both sought to convey warm relations between the two global powers.
The president said he had lived up to his campaign promise to give India “a true friend in the White House” and announced that daughter Ivanka Trump had accepted an invita- tion to visit India this fall.
For his part, Modi cited Trump’s “vast and successful experience in the business world” and even gave a shoutout to Trump’s campaign mantra of “making America great again” in his statement.
Trump is a self-admitted germophobe. But he has been willing to express America’s special relationship with a select few.
When he welcomed British Prime Minister Theresa May to the White House in late January, Trump ignited a tabloid frenzy in Great Britain when the two leaders held hands as they walked along the White House colonnade.
And when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s sedan pulled into the West Wing in February, Trump greeted Abe with a hug, a display of public affection rarely seen among leaders in Japan.
Trump treated Modi to cocktails and dinner at the White House last night and shared a laugh when he pointed to their social media dominance.
Trump’s @realdonaldtrump Twitter handle has 32.8 million followers, while Modi’s Twitter game draws more than 31 million followers. – ANA-AP