New Delhi: US President Donald Trump will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Houston’s mega “Howdy, Modi!” event on September 22, the White House confirmed on Sunday. More than 50,000 Indian-Americans from across the US have registered for the September 22 mega “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures” event to be held at the sprawling NRG Stadium in Houston. “Howdy”, short for ‘How do you do?’, is a friendly greeting commonly used in southwestern United States.  Meanwhile, the White House said that the event will be providing a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between the US and India.

The White House Press Secretary in a statement said, "On Sunday, September 22, 2019, President Donald J. Trump will travel to Houston, Texas, and Wapakoneta, Ohio, to underscore the important partnerships between the United States and India, and Australia. In Houston, President Trump will participate in an event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India." "The event, "Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures," is expected to draw tens of thousands of people", it added.

Watch | 'Howdy, Modi!' to host 50,000 at Houston's NRG stadium in September



Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla called Trump’s participation in the “Howdy, Modi!” event “historic” and “unprecedented”. “It is reflective of the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that has developed between India and the US,” Shringla was quoted as saying by PTI. While welcoming the White House announcement, the ambassador said, “This is unprecedented and historic and is reflective of the close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and the US.”

The organising committee of "Howdy, Modi!", Texas India Forum has welcomed the development and said that the event brings together the President of the world's most influential democracy, Trump, and the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy, Modi.

PM Modi is likely to leave for the US on September 21 and will first travel to Houston and then to New York from September 23 to 27.

(with inputs from agencies)