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Tens of thousands of Indian-Americans converged on Houston on Sunday for an unusual joint rally by Donald Trump and Narendra Modi, a visible symbol of the bond between the nationalist-minded leaders.
With many in the crowd decked out in formal Indian attire or the signature saffron of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, the event kicked off in a football stadium with a Sikh blessing, boisterous bhangra dancing and, in a nod to local customs, cheerleaders in cowboy hats.
Dubbed, with a Texan twang, "Howdy, Modi!", organizers describe the gathering as the largest-ever reception for a foreign leader in the United States other than the pope, with more than 50,000 people registered.
Modi, who cruised to a new mandate in elections this year, is fond of mass gatherings on his travels overseas as he seeks to demonstrate his appeal.
While no less fond of the limelight, Trump's presence is more unusual.
US presidents rarely join other countries' leaders before diaspora events, and Trump -- with a hard line on immigration one of his signature issues -- is hardly known for celebrating ethnic diversity.
But with US elections due in 14 months Trump's presence may help soften his image in Houston, one of the most multiethnic US cities and ground zero in the rival Democratic Party's recent gains in the state of Texas, a must-win bastion of his Republican Party.
- Political hopes for Trump -Sporting a matching vest and sari in yellow embroidery from Modi's home state of Gujarat as well as caps in the Indian tricolor, Bhavin Parikh of Sacramento, California said he and his wife Shipti wanted to show their support.
"We are big fans of Modi and what he is doing for India and wanted to show our support," Parikh said.
He called the gathering "historic" due to Trump's presence. But he demurred on whether the gathering also indicated backing for Trump.
"It is not a question of Democrat or Republican. It's the American president supporting the Indian prime minister," he said.
The four-million-strong Indian-American community also forms an enticing pool of voters. With an average household income of $100,000, Indian-Americans are among the most prosperous US groups.
But they are also among the most solidly Democratic. Despite high-profile Indian-American Republicans such as Nikki Haley, Trump's first ambassador to the United Nations, more than 80 percent voted in 2016 for Democrat Hillary Clinton -- more than almost any other group other than African-Americans.
Organizers are trying to keep the event non-partisan and also invited Steny Hoyer, the number-two Democrat in the House of Representatives.
- Controversy on Kashmir -The joint rally indicates that the two leaders have turned the page since July, when the US leader startled India by saying in front of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that Modi had requested US mediation on Kashmir -- the divided flashpoint between the nuclear-armed powers.
India has for decades rejected any outside role on Kashmir. Modi's Hindu nationalist government in August revoked the autonomy of Kashmir, which had been India's only Muslim-majority state.
India has taken sweeping measures including a communications blackout that has snapped off ordinary people's internet and mobile telephone service across much of Kashmir.
A smattering of protesters gathered outside of the stadium, interspersed with Modi supporters marching and waving US and Indian flags.
A Kashmiri-American group called a demonstration, saying that India has violated basic human rights and cut off contact with relatives.
John Sifton, the Asia advocacy director of Human Rights Watch, said it was critical to raise concerns to Modi while he is abroad as, unlike previous Indian prime ministers, he has little back-and-forth interaction with the media.
"He is really in a kind of bubble in Delhi," Sifton said. "This is a moment for Modi to burst outside of his bubble and hear some criticism of what's happening in Kashmir."
India defends the Kashmir crackdown by saying that Pakistan is seeking to stir up trouble through armed militants.
Trump is set next week to meet more formally with Modi, and also see Khan when the leaders are in New York for the UN General Assembly.
With many in the crowd decked out in formal Indian attire or the signature saffron of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, the event kicked off in a football stadium with a Sikh blessing, boisterous bhangra dancing and, in a nod to local customs, cheerleaders in cowboy hats.
Dubbed, with a Texan twang, "Howdy, Modi!", organizers describe the gathering as the largest-ever reception for a foreign leader in the United States other than the pope, with more than 50,000 people registered.
Modi, who cruised to a new mandate in elections this year, is fond of mass gatherings on his travels overseas as he seeks to demonstrate his appeal.
While no less fond of the limelight, Trump's presence is more unusual.
US presidents rarely join other countries' leaders before diaspora events, and Trump -- with a hard line on immigration one of his signature issues -- is hardly known for celebrating ethnic diversity.
But with US elections due in 14 months Trump's presence may help soften his image in Houston, one of the most multiethnic US cities and ground zero in the rival Democratic Party's recent gains in the state of Texas, a must-win bastion of his Republican Party.
- Political hopes for Trump -Sporting a matching vest and sari in yellow embroidery from Modi's home state of Gujarat as well as caps in the Indian tricolor, Bhavin Parikh of Sacramento, California said he and his wife Shipti wanted to show their support.
"We are big fans of Modi and what he is doing for India and wanted to show our support," Parikh said.
He called the gathering "historic" due to Trump's presence. But he demurred on whether the gathering also indicated backing for Trump.
"It is not a question of Democrat or Republican. It's the American president supporting the Indian prime minister," he said.
The four-million-strong Indian-American community also forms an enticing pool of voters. With an average household income of $100,000, Indian-Americans are among the most prosperous US groups.
But they are also among the most solidly Democratic. Despite high-profile Indian-American Republicans such as Nikki Haley, Trump's first ambassador to the United Nations, more than 80 percent voted in 2016 for Democrat Hillary Clinton -- more than almost any other group other than African-Americans.
Organizers are trying to keep the event non-partisan and also invited Steny Hoyer, the number-two Democrat in the House of Representatives.
- Controversy on Kashmir -The joint rally indicates that the two leaders have turned the page since July, when the US leader startled India by saying in front of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that Modi had requested US mediation on Kashmir -- the divided flashpoint between the nuclear-armed powers.
India has for decades rejected any outside role on Kashmir. Modi's Hindu nationalist government in August revoked the autonomy of Kashmir, which had been India's only Muslim-majority state.
India has taken sweeping measures including a communications blackout that has snapped off ordinary people's internet and mobile telephone service across much of Kashmir.
A smattering of protesters gathered outside of the stadium, interspersed with Modi supporters marching and waving US and Indian flags.
A Kashmiri-American group called a demonstration, saying that India has violated basic human rights and cut off contact with relatives.
John Sifton, the Asia advocacy director of Human Rights Watch, said it was critical to raise concerns to Modi while he is abroad as, unlike previous Indian prime ministers, he has little back-and-forth interaction with the media.
"He is really in a kind of bubble in Delhi," Sifton said. "This is a moment for Modi to burst outside of his bubble and hear some criticism of what's happening in Kashmir."
India defends the Kashmir crackdown by saying that Pakistan is seeking to stir up trouble through armed militants.
Trump is set next week to meet more formally with Modi, and also see Khan when the leaders are in New York for the UN General Assembly.
