Hyderabad, India — Ivanka Trump is making a significant solo outing by headlining a business conference in India, but her trip highlights questions about whether her message of empowering poor women matches her actions.
Trump landed Tuesday in the southern city of Hyderabad and is scheduled to make the opening address at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit later in the day.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Trump tweeted. “I’m excited to be in Hyderabad, India for #GES2017.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join her at the opening and will later host her for dinner at the luxurious Falaknuma Palace Hotel.
The city has cleared away beggars and filled potholes ahead of the visit by Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump and a senior presidential adviser.
“Women entrepreneurs help drive innovation and job creation, as well as address the world’s greatest and most critical challenges,” Modi tweeted. Many in India are excited about Trump appearing at the conference, which is being co-hosted by the United States and India.
“It’s cool that she’s coming,” said Amani Bhugati, a medical student.
“She’s glamorous, beautiful and powerful. It’s like a combination of Hollywood and politics.”
Others marveled at the improvements made around Hyderabad.
“All new,” said Gopal, a taxi driver who gave only his first name.
But he also pointed to the potholes that remain on many smaller streets. “She’s not coming here, so they didn’t fix it,” he said.