Houston: President Donald Trump has praised the contributions of the influential and thriving Indian-American community in the country, saying he was "truly proud" to have them as Americans. President Trump lauded the role of the Indian diaspora in the US at the historic "Howdy, Modi!" event in Houston, Texas, as he addressed a record crowd of over 50,000 Indian-Americans who gathered at the NRG Stadium to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Prime Minister Modi and I have come to Houston to celebrate everything that unites America and India -- our shared dreams and bright futures," he said on Sunday. Trump said he was attending the event to express his profound gratitude to the nearly 4 million amazing Indian Americans all across the country, who are "thriving, prospering, flourishing and hardworking."

"You enrich our culture. You uphold our values. You uplift our communities. You are truly proud to be Americans and we are proud to have you as Americans. Trump, calling the gathering a "profoundly historic event," was greeted with a standing ovation by the crowd. "You (India) have never had a better friend as President as President Donald Trump," Trump declared as he was loudly cheered. "We thank you, we love you, and I want you to know that my administration is fighting for you each and everyday," the president, who is eyeing a second term at the White House in 2020, said. It is estimated that there are about 500,000 Indians in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India in Houston.