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'Trump got his wall': Indian city rushes to beautify before visit
'Trump got his wall': Indian city rushes to beautify before visit
Newly erected wall will hide slums along Ahmedabad motorcade route, while others face eviction
Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Delhi and Julian Borger in Washington Fri 21 Feb 2020
Workers paint Trump and Modi on a wall in Ahmedabad.
Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters
“World’s largest democracy meets world’s oldest democracy” reads the welcome daubed in bright letters across a newly built wall in Ahmedabad. It will be a fleeting trip – lasting less than 36 hours – but Donald Trump’s arrival in India on Monday on his first official visit has prompted a frenzied, costly and controversial beautification drive by authorities.
In Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, where the US president will fly on Monday to attend a huge rally with the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, dubbed “Namaste Trump”, this 2 metre (6ft) wall has been a particular point of contention. Quickly erected this week, it serves to hide the stretch of slums along the route due to be taken by Trump’s motorcade.
The outrage at the project was coupled with some amusement in India, with many noting that “Trump finally got his wall”.
“World’s largest democracy meets world’s oldest democracy” reads the welcome daubed in bright letters across a newly built wall in Ahmedabad. It will be a fleeting trip – lasting less than 36 hours – but Donald Trump’s arrival in India on Monday on his first official visit has prompted a frenzied, costly and controversial beautification drive by authorities.
In Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, where the US president will fly on Monday to attend a huge rally with the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, dubbed “Namaste Trump”, this 2 metre (6ft) wall has been a particular point of contention. Quickly erected this week, it serves to hide the stretch of slums along the route due to be taken by Trump’s motorcade.
The outrage at the project was coupled with some amusement in India, with many noting that “Trump finally got his wall”.
The wall along a route that Trump and Modi
will take during the US president’s visit. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters
Eviction notices were also served this week to more than 40 slum dwellers in the vicinity of the new cricket stadium where Monday’s rally will be held, and street vendors were removed from the motorcade route, destroying their livelihoods. All stray dogs, cats and monkeys have been cleared.
The irony of the climate science denier Trump arriving in Gujarat, a state already suffering some of the worst effects of the climate crisis including mass water shortages and drastically rising temperatures in its cities, was not lost on environmental activists in Ahmedabad.
The activist Rohit Prajapati said some of the beautification measures being rolled out for Trump were environmentally detrimental. Trees are being chopped down for security purposes, and fresh water is being temporarily released into the Sabarmati River in Gujurat and the Yamuna River in Agra, where Trump will visit the Taj Mahal, to create the illusion that these usually toxic, sewage-ridden and smelly rivers are flowing normally.
Prajapati said police surveillance of activists had increased in recent days to try to stop protests during Trump’s visit. “It is almost like we are under house arrest,” he said. “For the past few days I am under constant surveillance and everywhere I go they follow us. They can’t arrest us because that would make the news so instead they are terrorising our neighbours, family, to create an atmosphere of intimidation.”
Residents have also alleged that the increased security restrictions have led to increased police harassment of the Muslim community in Ahmedabad.
Security forces patrol a road in Ahmedabad
Eviction notices were also served this week to more than 40 slum dwellers in the vicinity of the new cricket stadium where Monday’s rally will be held, and street vendors were removed from the motorcade route, destroying their livelihoods. All stray dogs, cats and monkeys have been cleared.
The irony of the climate science denier Trump arriving in Gujarat, a state already suffering some of the worst effects of the climate crisis including mass water shortages and drastically rising temperatures in its cities, was not lost on environmental activists in Ahmedabad.
The activist Rohit Prajapati said some of the beautification measures being rolled out for Trump were environmentally detrimental. Trees are being chopped down for security purposes, and fresh water is being temporarily released into the Sabarmati River in Gujurat and the Yamuna River in Agra, where Trump will visit the Taj Mahal, to create the illusion that these usually toxic, sewage-ridden and smelly rivers are flowing normally.
Prajapati said police surveillance of activists had increased in recent days to try to stop protests during Trump’s visit. “It is almost like we are under house arrest,” he said. “For the past few days I am under constant surveillance and everywhere I go they follow us. They can’t arrest us because that would make the news so instead they are terrorising our neighbours, family, to create an atmosphere of intimidation.”
Residents have also alleged that the increased security restrictions have led to increased police harassment of the Muslim community in Ahmedabad.
Security forces patrol a road in Ahmedabad
before Trump’s visit. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters
The adulation India typically shows US presidents is likely to play well to Trump’s ego, while Modi, grappling with a huge backlash against his BJP government’s new citizenship law and one of India’s biggest periods of unrest in 40 years, will hope to bolster his domestic image.
Trump has been retweeting Indian accounts of the grandiose welcome that awaits him, including Modi’s far-fetched claim that 7 million people will come out to greet him in Ahmedabad – almost the population of the entire city. More realistic estimates say around 100,000 people are likely to line the streets, while the stadium where the rally will be held seats 120,000.
Tanvi Madan, the director of the India Project at the Brookings Institution thinktank, said: “In some ways, American presidents go to India to feel loved.”
Yet it may not be entirely seamless. The two countries have come to blows over trade tariffs over the past year and Trump has already made it clear there will be no major trade deal signed between the two countries on this visit.
“I think partly because they have not been able to get to a trade deal, Prime Minister Modi will make an extra effort in delivering something else to President Trump which is great optics,” said Madan.
There will be some substance underlying the spectacle. US-Indian security cooperation has flourished in recent years, largely because of shared suspicion of China and a mutual desire to keep the Pacific open for free trade. Trump and Modi are likely to sign a deal over advanced helicopters at some point during the trip.
On the journey to India, or on the way back, Trump is also expected to make a detour to Afghanistan to sign a deal with the Taliban.
There is always the risk of surprise with Trump. Modi was visibly bewildered when the president offered to broker a peace deal with Pakistan over Kashmir, the sort of outside intervention India has resolutely opposed.
The adulation India typically shows US presidents is likely to play well to Trump’s ego, while Modi, grappling with a huge backlash against his BJP government’s new citizenship law and one of India’s biggest periods of unrest in 40 years, will hope to bolster his domestic image.
Trump has been retweeting Indian accounts of the grandiose welcome that awaits him, including Modi’s far-fetched claim that 7 million people will come out to greet him in Ahmedabad – almost the population of the entire city. More realistic estimates say around 100,000 people are likely to line the streets, while the stadium where the rally will be held seats 120,000.
Tanvi Madan, the director of the India Project at the Brookings Institution thinktank, said: “In some ways, American presidents go to India to feel loved.”
Yet it may not be entirely seamless. The two countries have come to blows over trade tariffs over the past year and Trump has already made it clear there will be no major trade deal signed between the two countries on this visit.
“I think partly because they have not been able to get to a trade deal, Prime Minister Modi will make an extra effort in delivering something else to President Trump which is great optics,” said Madan.
There will be some substance underlying the spectacle. US-Indian security cooperation has flourished in recent years, largely because of shared suspicion of China and a mutual desire to keep the Pacific open for free trade. Trump and Modi are likely to sign a deal over advanced helicopters at some point during the trip.
On the journey to India, or on the way back, Trump is also expected to make a detour to Afghanistan to sign a deal with the Taliban.
There is always the risk of surprise with Trump. Modi was visibly bewildered when the president offered to broker a peace deal with Pakistan over Kashmir, the sort of outside intervention India has resolutely opposed.
Trump and Modi on a poster in Ahmedabad.
Photograph: Sam Panthaky/AFP via Getty Images
But Bruce Riedel, who travelled to India with Bill Clinton as a special adviser in 2000, suggested that the prime minister could reasonably expect not to be embarrassed by his visitor over his actions in Kashmir and the erosion of democratic norms in Indian public life.
“The good news for India is that the last person in the world likely to raise any of these issues is Donald Trump,” he said.
But Bruce Riedel, who travelled to India with Bill Clinton as a special adviser in 2000, suggested that the prime minister could reasonably expect not to be embarrassed by his visitor over his actions in Kashmir and the erosion of democratic norms in Indian public life.
“The good news for India is that the last person in the world likely to raise any of these issues is Donald Trump,” he said.
TRUMP GETS HIS WALL....IN INDIA
India builds 1,640 ft wall along slum ahead of Trump visit
By Ajit Solanki, Associated Press,PA Media: World News•February 18, 2020
A 1,640ft brick wall has been hastily erected in India’s Gujarat state ahead of a visit by Donald Trump, with critics saying it was built to block the view of a slum area inhabited by more than 2,000 people.
“Since they are spending so much money on this wall, why not use that to improve our slum and provide better facilities for us,” said resident Keshi Saraniya. “Why are they hiding us poor people?”
The US president is visiting the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat during a two-day trip to India next week to attend an event called Namaste Trump, which translates to “Greetings, Trump”.
The event, being held at a cricket stadium, is along the lines of a “Howdy Modi” rally he hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September.
Mr Trump is to drive along a road next to the slum and will be accompanied by Mr Modi, who is from Gujarat.
Workers construct the wall in Ahmedabad (Ajit Solanki/AP)
News reports said the wall was originally planned to be 6ft to 7ft high but was reduced to 4ft after it received widespread publicity.
Senior government official Bijal Patel said the wall was built “for security reasons” and not to conceal the slum.
“Apart from security reasons, the wall is also part of a beautification and cleanliness drive,” she added.
Several political leaders were quick to criticise the wall’s construction, questioning Mr Modi’s development work in his own state. He was chief minister of Gujarat for 12 years before becoming prime minister in May 2014.
Authorities on Monday also served eviction notices to 45 families living in another slum area near the cricket stadium.
The residents said they were asked to leave because of the upcoming event, but the city’s civic body denied it.
“We have been living here for the last 20 years and now we are suddenly being told to vacate because some important leader is visiting this city for a day,” said resident Sanjay Patani. “This is injustice.”
Workers erect a stage as part of preparations for the visit of Donald Trump (Ajit Solanki/AP)
Kishore Varna, a government official, said the land belongs to the civic body and evictions were done under the law. He did not say why the eviction notices were sent days ahead of Mr Trump’s visit.
The US leader, who has pledged to build a wall along America’s border with Mexico to stop people from entering the US, is visiting India on February 24-25. His visit is aimed at smoothing ties strained by trade disputes and could also allow him to woo tens of thousands of Indian-American voters ahead of the US presidential election.
Trade tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Trump administration levied tariffs on steel and aluminium from India.
India responded with higher tariffs on agricultural goods and restrictions on US medical devices, prompting Washington to retaliate by removing India from a decades-old preferential trade programme.
India hastily builds wall along slum ahead of Trump visit
By AJIT SOLANKI February 18, 2020
1 of 7
A man rides past a wall painted with portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of Trump's visit, in Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Trump is scheduled to visit the city during his Feb. 24-25 India trip. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — A half-kilometer (1,640-foot) brick wall has been hastily erected in India’s Gujarat state ahead of a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, with critics saying it was built to block the view of a slum area inhabited by more than 2,000 people.
“Since they are spending so much money on this wall, why not use that to improve our slum and provide better facilities for us,” said Keshi Saraniya, a resident. “Why are they hiding us poor people?”
Trump is visiting the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat during a two-day trip to India next week to attend an event called “Namaste Trump,” which translates to “Greetings, Trump,” at a cricket stadium along the lines of a “Howdy Modi” rally attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September. Trump is to drive along a road next to the slum and will be accompanied by Modi, who is from Gujarat.
News reports said the wall was originally planned to be 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 meters) high but was reduced to 4 feet (1.2 meters) after it received widespread publicity.
Senior government official Bijal Patel said the wall was built “for security reasons” and not to conceal the slum.
“Apart from security reasons, the wall is also part of a beautification and cleanliness drive,” she said.
Several political leaders were quick to criticize the wall’s construction, questioning Modi’s development work in his own state. Modi was chief minister of Gujarat for 12 years before becoming the country’s prime minister in May 2014.
Authorities on Monday also served eviction notices to 45 families living in another slum area near the cricket stadium.
The residents said they were asked to leave because of the upcoming event, but the city’s civic body denied it.
“We have been living here for the last 20 years and now we are suddenly being told to vacate because some important leader is visiting this city for a day,” said Sanjay Patani, a resident. “This is injustice.”
Kishore Varna, a government official, said the land belongs to the civic body and evictions were done under the law. He didn’t say why the eviction notices were sent just days ahead of Trump’s visit.
Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along America’s border with Mexico to stop people from entering the U.S., is visiting India on Feb. 24-25. His visit is aimed at smoothing ties strained by trade disputes and could also allow him to woo tens of thousands of Indian-American voters ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Trade tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Trump administration levied tariffs on steel and aluminium from India.
Indiaresponded with higher tariff
TRUMP GETS HIS WALL....IN INDIA
India builds 1,640 ft wall along slum ahead of Trump visit
By Ajit Solanki, Associated Press,PA Media: World News•February 18, 2020
A 1,640ft brick wall has been hastily erected in India’s Gujarat state ahead of a visit by Donald Trump, with critics saying it was built to block the view of a slum area inhabited by more than 2,000 people.
“Since they are spending so much money on this wall, why not use that to improve our slum and provide better facilities for us,” said resident Keshi Saraniya. “Why are they hiding us poor people?”
The US president is visiting the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat during a two-day trip to India next week to attend an event called Namaste Trump, which translates to “Greetings, Trump”.
The event, being held at a cricket stadium, is along the lines of a “Howdy Modi” rally he hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September.
Mr Trump is to drive along a road next to the slum and will be accompanied by Mr Modi, who is from Gujarat.
Workers construct the wall in Ahmedabad (Ajit Solanki/AP)
News reports said the wall was originally planned to be 6ft to 7ft high but was reduced to 4ft after it received widespread publicity.
Senior government official Bijal Patel said the wall was built “for security reasons” and not to conceal the slum.
“Apart from security reasons, the wall is also part of a beautification and cleanliness drive,” she added.
Several political leaders were quick to criticise the wall’s construction, questioning Mr Modi’s development work in his own state. He was chief minister of Gujarat for 12 years before becoming prime minister in May 2014.
Authorities on Monday also served eviction notices to 45 families living in another slum area near the cricket stadium.
The residents said they were asked to leave because of the upcoming event, but the city’s civic body denied it.
“We have been living here for the last 20 years and now we are suddenly being told to vacate because some important leader is visiting this city for a day,” said resident Sanjay Patani. “This is injustice.”
Workers erect a stage as part of preparations for the visit of Donald Trump (Ajit Solanki/AP)
Kishore Varna, a government official, said the land belongs to the civic body and evictions were done under the law. He did not say why the eviction notices were sent days ahead of Mr Trump’s visit.
The US leader, who has pledged to build a wall along America’s border with Mexico to stop people from entering the US, is visiting India on February 24-25. His visit is aimed at smoothing ties strained by trade disputes and could also allow him to woo tens of thousands of Indian-American voters ahead of the US presidential election.
Trade tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Trump administration levied tariffs on steel and aluminium from India.
India responded with higher tariffs on agricultural goods and restrictions on US medical devices, prompting Washington to retaliate by removing India from a decades-old preferential trade programme.
India hastily builds wall along slum ahead of Trump visit
By AJIT SOLANKI February 18, 2020
1 of 7
A man rides past a wall painted with portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of Trump's visit, in Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Trump is scheduled to visit the city during his Feb. 24-25 India trip. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — A half-kilometer (1,640-foot) brick wall has been hastily erected in India’s Gujarat state ahead of a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, with critics saying it was built to block the view of a slum area inhabited by more than 2,000 people.
“Since they are spending so much money on this wall, why not use that to improve our slum and provide better facilities for us,” said Keshi Saraniya, a resident. “Why are they hiding us poor people?”
Trump is visiting the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat during a two-day trip to India next week to attend an event called “Namaste Trump,” which translates to “Greetings, Trump,” at a cricket stadium along the lines of a “Howdy Modi” rally attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September. Trump is to drive along a road next to the slum and will be accompanied by Modi, who is from Gujarat.
News reports said the wall was originally planned to be 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 meters) high but was reduced to 4 feet (1.2 meters) after it received widespread publicity.
Senior government official Bijal Patel said the wall was built “for security reasons” and not to conceal the slum.
“Apart from security reasons, the wall is also part of a beautification and cleanliness drive,” she said.
Several political leaders were quick to criticize the wall’s construction, questioning Modi’s development work in his own state. Modi was chief minister of Gujarat for 12 years before becoming the country’s prime minister in May 2014.
Authorities on Monday also served eviction notices to 45 families living in another slum area near the cricket stadium.
The residents said they were asked to leave because of the upcoming event, but the city’s civic body denied it.
“We have been living here for the last 20 years and now we are suddenly being told to vacate because some important leader is visiting this city for a day,” said Sanjay Patani, a resident. “This is injustice.”
Kishore Varna, a government official, said the land belongs to the civic body and evictions were done under the law. He didn’t say why the eviction notices were sent just days ahead of Trump’s visit.
Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along America’s border with Mexico to stop people from entering the U.S., is visiting India on Feb. 24-25. His visit is aimed at smoothing ties strained by trade disputes and could also allow him to woo tens of thousands of Indian-American voters ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Trade tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Trump administration levied tariffs on steel and aluminium from India.
India responded with higher tariffs on agricultural goods and restrictions on U.S. medical devices, prompting the U.S. to retaliate by removing India from a decades-old preferential trade program. ___ Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report
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