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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Delay in land acquisation of 3341 hectares halting railway development in Karnataka: Vaishnaw
Mangaluru: Several major railway projects in Karnataka have come to a halt due to delays in land acquisition by the state government, even as the Centre has sharply increased funds for railway development in the state.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Friday, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Karnataka needs 9,020 hectares of land for various railway projects, of which 63% (5,679 ha) has been acquired, while 3,341 ha is still pending.
Dharwad–Belagavi via Kittur new line (73 km), taken up under a 50:50 cost-sharing agreement with the state. The project has made no progress reportedly, because the required land has not been handed over. As per the agreement, land is to be provided free of cost by the state.
The other projects facing significant delays due to land acquisition include 333 ha pending for Shimoga–Rannebennur new line (96 km), as per the report, 581 ha pending for Belgaum–Dharwad new line (73 km), 488 ha pending for Shimoga–Harihar new line (79 km), 337 ha pending for Whitefield–Kolar new line (53 km), and 206 ha pending for Hassan–Belur new line (32 km).
Vaishnaw allegedly said that timelines depend on factors such as land acquisition, statutory clearances, forest permissions, utility shifting, topographical challenges and law and order conditions, all of which can affect both cost and time.
The minister pointed out that added that while the Centre is prepared to move fast, progress depends heavily on the support and cooperation of the state government.
The minister pointed out that annual outlay for Karnataka has risen from Rs 835 crore per year during 2009–14 to Rs 7,564 crore in 2025–26, an increase of more than nine times.
According to the report, as of April 1, 2025, Karnataka has 25 sanctioned projects including 15 new lines and 10 doubling works covering 3,264 km and costing Rs 42,517 crore, fall completely or partly within Karnataka. Of these, 1,394 km have been commissioned so far, with an expenditure of Rs 21,310 crore.
Recently completed works include the Kottur–Harihar, Hassan–Bengaluru, Bidar–Gulbarga lines and several doubling projects in Shivamogga, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Arsikere and Hubballi regions.
As per the report, major ongoing projects such as the Hospet–Hubli–Londa–Vasco doubling, Hotgi–Gadag doubling and new lines like Gadag–Wadi, Bagalkot–Kudachi, Tumkur-Rayadurga and Tumkur–Davangere continue to progress, the minister said.
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