Border security vital to both America and India: Trump says in presence of PM Modi at 'Howdy, Modi'
Houston, Sep 22: US President Donald Trump on Sunday vowed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism and said border security is vital to both America and India as he emphasised on bolstering further the Indo-US security relationship.
Addressing a record crowd of 50,000 Indian-Americans at the 'Howdy, Modi' event at the packed NRG stadium in Houston in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said the two countries will soon sign several defence deals to bolster their relationship.
"We are committed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism," the US president said.
"India and US also understand that to keep our community safe, we must protect our borders. Border security is vital to the United States. Border Security is vital to India. And we understand that," Trump said as Prime Minister Modi was seen clapping.
India accuses Pakistan of providing safe haven to the terror groups, which carry out attacks in the neighbouring countries.
"We are further taking unprecedented action to secure our southern border (with Mexico) and stop illegal immigration," Trump said, to cheers.
He said illegal immigration is unfair to legal immigrants who pay taxes and obey laws.
During his nearly 25-minute speech, Trump praised Modi's economic reforms and said these reforms have lifted more than three million people out of poverty. "And that is an incredible number," he added.
"In both India and the US, we're seeing something remarkable: Our people are prospering like never before because we are slashing bureaucracy and cutting red tape," Trump said.
He then praised his own administration's economic record, which he said includes 70,000 new Texas manufacturing jobs.
"Unemployment in Texas is currently at the lowest rate ever recorded in the history of our country, and unemployment in the United States has just reached the lowest level in over 51 years," he said.
He said that over the last two years, unemployment among Indian-Americans dropped by one-third, Trump said.
Noting that the US is the No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas on the planet, Trump said he was thrilled to hear about the Indian company's pledge to purchase up to 5 million tonnes of LNG a year from the US, which could lead to billions of dollars of LNG exports to India in the coming years."
"India has never invested in the United States like it's doing today," Trump said, "and I want to say, it's reciprocal, because we're doing the same in India."
Trump said that in November the US and India will demonstrate dramatic progress of their defence relationship, holding the first-ever trilateral-service military exercise between our nations - 'Tiger Triumph'.
"Prime Minister Modi and I have come to Houston to celebrate everything that defines the India-America relationship," Trump said.
He described Modi as "a great man, a great leader and my friend."
The US president also praised the contributions of the Indian-Americans, saying they have enriched "our culture and uplifted our values. We are proud to have them as Americans."
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Narcotic substances worth Rs 11.50 cr seized, two people arrested
Bengaluru (PTI): Two alleged interstate drug peddlers, including a woman, have been arrested with narcotic substances worth Rs 11.50 crore, police said on Tuesday.
The arrests were made recently following a raid conducted by the Narcotics Control Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bagalur police station limits, they said.
Police said 8,335 LSD strips, five kg of Hydro Ganja, 534 grams of Charas, two mobile phones and a two-wheeler were seized from their possession.
"Based on a tip-off, two interstate drug peddlers, including a woman, were apprehended. Both had been residing in Bengaluru for the past year and were involved in an organised illegal drug distribution network. They were receiving narcotic substances from a Kerala-based individual residing in Thailand and distributing them to customers as per his instructions, thereby earning illegal profits," a senior police officer said.
Addressing a press conference here, Seemant Kumar Singh said this was the first time such a huge quantity of LSD had been recovered in Bengaluru.
“We are trying to find out from where it has been sourced and where it was meant to be supplied. We have some specific inputs about the intended targets. However, without concrete evidence, we cannot conclude. We are working to establish how such a huge quantity was procured and for whom it was meant,” he said.
Singh added that further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and identify those involved in the distribution network.
A case has been registered against them under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) at Bagalur Police Station, and further investigation is in progress, police said.
In another operation, 1.5 kg Hydro Ganja was seized by the officials at K G Nagar police station here, police said.
The contraband had been smuggled via international parcel services and cleverly concealed inside chocolate and biscuit boxes to avoid suspicion, and the estimated value is Rs 1.5 crore, the officer said.
A case has been registered, and efforts are ongoing to trace the accused, police said.
An interstate accused was arrested in the Whitefield police station limits, for selling narcotic drugs on March 1, they said.
Police said 27.239 kg Ganja, 3.200 kg Hashish Oil, along with the two-wheeler used in the crime, with a total worth of Rs 55 lakh was seized from him, they added.
In a separate operation, two foreign women who were overstaying their visas were apprehended within the limits of Mico Layout Police Station, officials said.
They have been handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and subsequently sent to the Foreigners Detention Centre as per legal procedures, they added.
