NEW DELHI • Defending the host who has showered him with pageantry, President Donald Trump refused Tuesday to speak out publicly against an Indian citizenship law pushed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that has sparked deadly protests over discrimination against Muslims during the president’s visit.

With at least 10 people killed in violent protests during his two-day visit, Trump said that he didn’t want to discuss the amendment that provides fast-track naturalization for some foreign-born religious minorities but not Muslims. The law is raising fears the country is inching nearer to a religious citizenship test.

“I want to leave that to India and hopefully they will make the right decision,” Trump said. An administration official had said before the trip that the U.S. was concerned about the developments.

The tiptoeing came as Trump was winding up a 36-hour visit to the subcontinent in which he was showered with praise at a mega rally in Ahmedabad, toured the majestic Taj Mahal, and held talks with Modi. Cities were plastered with billboards heralding Trump’s arrival, his travel routes were lined with enthusiastic crowds, and colorfully costumed dancers and musicians entertained him at every turn.

As Trump as being feted, at least 10 people were killed and 150 injured in two days of clashes between supporters and opponents of the new citizenship amendment. On Tuesday, an angry group of Hindus carrying pickaxes and iron rods hurled rocks at Muslims. Protesters in several areas of northeast Delhi threw stones and set shops and vehicles on fire.

And black smoke rose into the sky after Hindu protesters set fruit and vegetable shops and a Muslim shrine on fire in northeast New Delhi, witnesses said. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Asked about the protests before his departure, Trump said he had raised the issue of religious freedom with Modi and that the prime minister was “incredible” on the subject.

“He wants people to have religious freedom,” said Trump, who shares much in common with Modi in substance and style. The president proposed temporarily barring all Muslims from entering the U.S. during his 2016 campaign and successfully implemented a travel ban that targets travelers from certain majority-Muslim countries.

Trump spoke at length during Monday’s rally about the threat posed by “radical Islamic terrorism” and his administration’s efforts to defeat it.

While Monday’s events were mostly for show, Trump turned to substance Tuesday, spending much of the day meeting with Modi. Trump emerged from the talks optimistic about prospects for ultimately completing a trade deal, though he offered no details — if anything — has been agreed to.

President Donald Trump speaks Tuesday with business leaders at a roundtable event at Roosevelt House in New Delhi.

the associated press