Donald Trump Greets Irish President With ‘Namaste’, Says ‘India Ahead Of The Curve’

Ever since people were warned to not shake hands to avoid getting the COVID-19 virus (which can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact), people across the world have been coming up with unique ways of greeting each other. From gently knocking elbows together as a friendly gesture to ‘leg-shaking’, people have done it all. Even the world leaders have refrained from executing the western handshake. Heir to the British throne, Prince Charles was spotted adopting the ‘Namaste’ at an event.

And now, it’s US President Donald Trump and visiting Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar who were seen greeting each other in the traditional Indian ‘Namaste’, reported NDTV.

When quizzed how the world leaders greeted each other amidst coronavirus outbreak, Trump said that they didn’t shake hands. “We did not shake hands today. We looked at each other and said what we are going to do. You know, sort of a weird feeling,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House.

He further added, “I just got back from India. And I did not shake any hands there. And it’s very easy because they go like this,” and then he showed the reporter how ‘Namaste’ is done. Varadkar also joined hands to show how they greeted each other, reported Business Insider.

#WATCH US President Donald Trump: We (him&PM of Ireland) didn't shake hands today&we looked at each other&said what are we going to do?Sort of a weird feeling. We did this (joined hands). I just got back from India&I didn't shake any hands there. It was easy. #CoronaVirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/5uTSKTf7bO

— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2020

Although Trump is a keen ‘hugger’ (we all know that by now), shaking hands has become quite a tradition ever since he became a politician. “I have never been a big hand-shaker, you probably heard. But once you become a politician, shaking hands is very normal. It’s a very strange feeling when people walk up and say “hi”,” he said.

Varadkar further added that ‘Namaste’ is sensible and safe given the current circumstances. “It almost feels impersonal or feels like you’re being rude, but we just can’t afford to think like that for the next few weeks.”

Bowing his head to show the Japanese way of greeting, Trump added that Indians and the Japanese were ahead of the curve. And he’s right. We knew it already!

Well, amidst the several news reports that show the increasing number of deaths due to the virus, the good news is that the World Health Organisation said that coronavirus “is a controllable pandemic”. Reports indicate that as of now, 4,614 people have lost their lives with 125,288 people are undergoing treatment. India has had its first coronavirus death in the country in Karnataka. So, stay alert and safe, guys!