President Trump appeared with nationalist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday at a Houston, Texas, rally billed as “Howdy, Modi.” Just days before the rally, a pair of Kashmiri citizens filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against Modi for carrying out extrajudicial killings and other crimes in occupied Kashmir. On Sunday, Modi defended his decision to revoke the special status of Kashmir, while Trump praised the authoritarian leader.

President Donald Trump: “In November, the United States and India will demonstrate a dramatic progress of our defense relationship, holding the first-ever tri-service military exercise between our nations. It’s called Tiger Triumph. Good name. It’s a good name. … Both India, the United States also understand that to keep our communities safe, we must protect our borders.”

Thousands protested against Modi’s human rights violations in Kashmir, outside the packed rally of 50,000.