A priest applies a "tika" on the portrait of Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, during a special prayer organised by Hindu Sena. PHOTO: REUTERS
Trump pledges strong US ties with India if elected president
At a fund-raising event in New Jersey organised by the Hindu Republican Coalition, Trump claimed, “I am a big fan of Hindu, and I am a big fan of India. Big, big fan.”
Earlier, in an interview with India’s NDTV channel, Trump appeared to suggest he was not aware that India also had large Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist populations. At least 14 per cent or 172 million of the country’s population identify as Muslims. But Trump only said, “I have great respect for Hindus. I have so many friends that are Hindu. They are great people, amazing entrepreneurs,” he said.
Ready to play mediator between Pakistan, India: Trump
When asked by the interviewer why he was only talking about Hindus and not India’s other religions, he responded, “I’ll be honest, I have great respect for India. I actually have jobs going up in India, tremendously successful. It is an amazing country."
Further at the charity event, Trump pledged that the United States and India would be “best friends” if he is elected and that he would boost intelligence sharing with India in the battle against militants.
Trump spoke at an event sponsored by the Republican Hindu Coalition to raise money for victims of terrorism. It featured Bollywood-style performers who danced in colorful, traditional costumes.
“If I’m elected president, the Indian and Hindu community will have a true friend in the White House, that I can guarantee you,” said Trump, who noted that as a real estate developer he has two “massive developments” in India.
“We will defeat radical Islamic terrorism when I’m president. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with India in sharing intelligence and keeping our people safe mutually,” said Trump.
Raise your hand if you are a Hindu and are at least mildly cringing at this ... 🙈https://t.co/0EjFCMAabF
— Tazeen 🍉 (@tazeen) October 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/ZabMustefa/status/787764897069273088
Trump just invented a country: "I am a big fan of Hindu and I am a big fan of India."
— Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) October 15, 2016
This article originally appeared on Independent.
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