Trump defends Modi’s government
President takes no stand on India’s citizenship law
NEW DELHI – President Donald Trump concluded his first official trip to India on Tuesday without taking a firm stance on a controversial new citizenship law hanging over Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, one that sparked street clashes and left at least 10 people dead in India’s capital during Trump’s 36-hour visit.
The president defended Modi’s government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, saying it “worked very hard to have great and open religious freedom,” though critics say the law discriminates against Muslims.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) offers fast-track citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from three neighboring Muslim-majority countries.
The deadly clashes broke out Sunday in Muslim-majority neighborhoods in northeast Delhi.
Trump said he was leaving it up to Modi to resolve the violence.
“I don’t want to discuss that, I want to leave that to India,” Trump said when asked about his stance on the law. “And hopefully, they’re going to make the right decision for the people.”
Modi has faced criticism over policies such as revoking the Muslim-majority territory of Kashmir’s special autonomy.
India tightened its grip on Kashmir by imposing a media blackout and jailing political dissenters.
A bipartisan group of senators wrote Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this month to voice their concerns over Modi’s policies, including the CAA.
Trump lashed out at Democrats and two Supreme Court judges despite promising not to be “controversial” during the news conference. He said he didn’t want to overshadow the “fantastic two days” he spent in India, promising to be “conservative” in his answers.
Trump’s whirlwind visit spanned three cities and included an elaborate welcome tour that featured a rally at the world’s biggest cricket stadium and a sunset tour of the Taj Mahal.
On the second day of his diplomatic sprint, Trump began with a formal welcome ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace, where he was escorted by red-uniformed guards on horseback.
He conducted a series of meetings with Modi and other government officials, as well as Indian business executives whom he hopes to convince to invest more in the USA.
In a joint statement Tuesday afternoon, Trump praised Modi for the colorful welcome and said he was “awed by the majesty of India,” declaring the U.S. special relationship with India “has never been as good as it is right now.”
The president said he remained “optimistic” about inking an elusive trade agreement with India, the world’s fifthbiggest economy, despite differences that have stalled negotiations.
Trump said his “productive visit” elicited more modest agreements, including the announcement that Exxon Mobil signed a deal to improve India’s natural gas distribution network.
The two leaders said they reached nonbinding agreements on mental health and drug products. Trump touted a $3.5 billion deal that India signed for military equipment, including naval helicopters.
“I want to leave that to India. And hopefully, they’re going to make the right decision for the people.” President Donald Trump