NEW DELHI (AP) 鈥� In New Delhi鈥檚 chaotic traffic, where the backs of auto-rickshaws sometimes double as mobile billboards, some commuters are now being greeted by an unlikely face: U.S. President
Splashed beneath his portrait is the slogan, 鈥淗appy Birthday America!鈥�
About 100 auto-rickshaws carrying large images of Trump and the Statue of Liberty have appeared across the Indian capital in recent weeks. In a city where the backs of thousands of three-wheelers are routinely covered with ads for little-known fertility clinics, English-speaking courses and herbal remedies, the American branding stands out.
The unusual advertising campaign was unveiled last month by Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India. It is part of a broader push by the U.S to mark the , with celebrations, cultural events and public outreach campaigns planned in several countries.
Announcing the initiative on social media last month, the U.S. Embassy posted, 鈥淔reedom is on the move 鈥� literally!鈥�
And it urged people in the capital to flag down the auto-rickshaws, saying, 鈥淐atch them if you can 鈥� they鈥檒l be popping up all over Delhi soon.鈥�
Washington is seeking to stabilize relations with India after ties soured over , which raised duties on several Indian exports. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to visit New Delhi this weekend.
For many auto-rickshaw drivers, though, the campaign carries little meaning.
Driver Ganesh Kumar, whose vehicle carried one of the Trump posters, said he initially refused when organizers approached him.
鈥淚 told them I didn鈥檛 want it,鈥� Kumar said. But he relented after organizers offered him a valuable inducement.
鈥淭hey said, 鈥楶lease let us put (the poster). We鈥檒l give you a packet of tea,鈥欌�� he said.
Another driver, Pradeep Kumar, said he agreed to carry the poster mostly because the canopy of his auto-rickshaw was torn and needed covering.
Asked if he knew what the advertisement said, Kumar replied: 鈥淚 know he is Trump. Don鈥檛 know much other than that.鈥�
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