President-elect Donald Trump last week met three Indian real-estate investors who are constructing a luxury apartment complex in South Mumbai under the Trump brand. The meeting took place at Trump Towers in Manhattan, New York.
He took time out from planning his transition to the Oval office to meet with the businessmen. A spokeswoman for Trump said it was a routine courtesy call and the three flew from India to congratulate Trump on his victory.
Atul & Sagar Chordia, Kalpesh Mehta meets U S President Mr Donald Trump at Trump Towers New York office just now pic.twitter.com/v7D3Uqx03d
— DEVENDRA JAIN (@shubham9601) November 15, 2016
“It was not a formal meeting of any kind,” Breanna Butler, a spokeswoman for the Trump Organization, told Washington Post.
Sagar Chordia, Atul Chordia, and Kalpesh Mehta are building a Trump-branded luxury apartment in south Mumbai and their meeting has now raised doubts over Trump’s ability to separate his business interests from the White House.
Trump’s spokesperson refused to comment when asked whether he discussed plans on expanding his businesses in India during the meeting, the New York Times reported.
The Economic Times, however, quoted the businessmen as saying they had discussed about expanding operations under the Trump brand. The report also stated that Washington ethics lawyer said Trump’s meeting with Indian businessmen raised conflict of interest.
