The Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump on Saturday called India an important strategic ally and promised that if he is elected as the United States President then India and US will become "best friends."
Trump also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his economic reforms and taking India on a fast track growth. He said that PM Modi is an energetic man and the kind of policies initiated by him needs to be implemented in the US too.
"India's is the world's largest democracy and is a natural ally of the US. Under a Trump Administration, we are going to become even better friends, in fact I would take the term better out and we would be best friends. We are going to have a phenomenal future together... I look forward to working with Prime Minister Modi," Trump said while addressing a crowd of Indian-Americans at a charity event organised by the Republican Hindu Coalition.
The Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) chief, Shalabh Kumar, donated a sum of $1.1 million to Trump's campaign and asked him to headline his charity event in Little India of New Jersey in Edison, according to reports.
Trump also praised the Hindu community in India and said that he is a "big fan" of the Hinduism and India. "If elected, the Indian and Hindu community would have a true friend at the White House," Trump said while adding that he has great confidence in PM Modi and India.
"I look forward to working with Prime Minister Modi who has been very energetic in reforming the economy and bureaucracy. Great man. I applaud him," Trump said.
The charity event was organised for the Kashmiri Pundits and Bangladeshi Hindu terrorist victims. During the event, Trump also said that he appreciated India's role in fighting terrorism with the US. "We appreciate the great friend India has been to the US in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism," Trump added.
This was the first time a US presidential candidate attended an Indian-American event during this year's election season in the United States.
