President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will tour the Taj Mahal when they visit India next week in a trip tailor-made for a president who loves grandeur and adoring crowds.
The two-day visit will begin with a Monday rally at the world's largest cricket stadium in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. Modi has promised Trump an epic turnout that Trump has bragged about for days.
"He told me we’ll have 7 million people between the airport and the event," Trump told reporters Tuesday — only to boost the number by 3 million during a Thursday night rally.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel stand guard at the Sardar Patel stadium ahead of the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Trump is visiting the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat during a two-day trip to India to attend an event called "Namaste Trump," which translates to "Greetings, Trump," at a cricket stadium along the lines of a "Howdy Modi" rally attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September. (AP PhotoAjit Solanki)
After the rally, the Trumps will go to the Taj Mahal, widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Trump rarely visits cultural sites when he travels internationally, preferring to return quickly back home. But he has had long-running business ties to India, along with the former “Trump Taj Mahal” hotel and casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On Tuesday, he will participate in ceremonial events and meet with government officials, business leaders, and embassy staff, followed by a dinner at the presidential palace.
The official delegation will include top administration officials including Trump's daughter and senior adviser Ivanka Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers march on the route that U.S. President Donald Trump will travel in Ahmadabad, India, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Trump is visiting the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat during a two-day trip to India to attend an event called "Namaste Trump," which translates to "Greetings, Trump," at a cricket stadium along the lines of a "Howdy Modi" rally attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September. (AP PhotoAjit Solanki)
An administration official outlined details of the trip on a conference call with reporters, on condition that the official not be named.
An Indian worker installs a giant hoarding welcoming U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his visit, in Ahmadabad, India, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Trump is scheduled to visit the city during his Feb. 24-25 India trip. (AP PhotoAjit Solanki)