Howdy, Modi!: In Trump's Presence, PM Modi Tears Into Pakistan Over Terror Export

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack at Pakistan from the podium of the mega diaspora event ‘Howdy Modi’ in Houston, with US President Donald Trump listening keenly. In the presence of 50,000 people, Modi said that India has bid farewell to Article 370 that went against people-centric development in Jammu and Kashmir.

He attacked Pakistan for making hatred towards India the hub of its governance and for fostering terrorism, just a day before the US President is scheduled to meet the Pakistani premeir Imran Khan. Citing the 9/11 attacks in the US, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in India, PM Modi said that Pakistan is the breeding ground of terrorism.

"India's decision on Article 370 has troubled some people, who can't even handle the state of affairs in their own country. For them, hatred has become centre of politics," he said

"They support terrorism instead of peace. They nuture terrorism on their own soil. Either 9/11 or 26/11; the entire world recognises their true colours," PM said.

"The time has come for a definite fight against terrorism. I want to state with emphasis that in this fight President Trump is with us strongly in the fight against terrorism, and he has shown his determination to fight against terrorism," PM Modi said, and asked the audience to stand up and give a standing ovation to the US President.

Talking about the abrogation of Article 370, Modi said: “For 70 years, it was proving a big challenge that India has given a farewell to. It kept people away from the benefits of development, and from equality, and it was being used by separatists. And the Constitution that is for the rest of India is now also for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. All the discrimination that women, children and Dalits were facing, has been ended."

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will be attending the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly with a single-point agenda regarding Kashmir.

Concluding his speech to the Indian-American community before departing for New York, the Prime Minister extended an invitation to the US President to visit India along with his family, saying it will give a new height to the shared dreams of the two countries.