Howdy, Modi: PM’s Houston rally dominates front pages in India

Major English and Hindi news channels in India relayed Howdy Modi live last night. Today, morning newspapers dedicated their lead front-page news space to the event in Houston.

Alongside the event in the United States, another report on a mob lynching in Jharkhand appeared on the front pages. While The Times of India carried this as a small box item, The Indian Express and The Telegraph both gave it prominent space.

‘Howdy Modi’ on front page

On social media, Modi’s endorsement of Trump with the slogan “Ab Ki Baar Trump Sarkar” has generated much conversation, but Indian newspapers kept the focus on the prime minister’s attack on Pakistan and his stance on Article 370.

The Times of India led with the headline, “In Trump’s presence, Modi attacks Pak for terror export”. The report noted: “In an unprecedented, landmark event at Houston’s NRG stadium packed with an adoring Indian-American crowd, both men lavished praise on each other and talked their respective countries up, while pledging to put both nations on the path of greater prosperity and security. Short of a formal signed alliance, they pledged a partnership for the ages.”

Hindustan Times’ headline read: “Modi shares dream of vibrant future with India’s best friend”. The Indian Express went with “Modi Trumps Houston”. Apart from covering the event, the Express has a report on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meeting foreign ministers of the US, Australia and Japan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York as part of the Quadrilateral grouping to counter China.

The Telegraph has a report with the headline, “Houston hug sealed with 370, terror and border”. This is accompanied by another report titled “Howdy Nehru” that focusses on Steny Hoyer’s speech quoting Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Hoyer is the majority leader of the US House of Representatives. The report quotes Hoyer as saying: “India, like America, is proud of its ancient traditions to secure a future according to Gandhi’s teaching and Nehru’s vision of India as a secular democracy where respect for pluralism and human rights safeguard every individual.”

Mumbai Mirror covered the event on its Nation page with the headline, “With Trump on his side, Modi targets Pakistan on terror”.

Hindi newspapers such as Dainik Jagran and Navbharat Times, too, covered Howdy Modi on their front pages.

Jagran’s headline noted that Modi “warned” Pakistan in front of Trump. Navbharat Times led with the headline, “Howdy Jodi? Modi Ka Trump Card”.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Patrika carried a report on the event on its third page with the headline: “Modi Ka Trump”, or Modi’s Trump.