Prime Minister Narendra Modi Addresses Joint Session of US Congress

Washington D.C. – In a historic event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India addressed a Joint Session of the US Congress on June 22, 2023. The invitation to speak was extended by Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The address was attended by Vice President Kamala Harris and distinguished members of Congress.

Upon his arrival at Capitol Hill, Prime Minister Modi was greeted with a formal welcome by the Congressional Leaders. He held separate meetings with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Congressional Leaders to discuss bilateral relations and shared goals.

During his address, Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the longstanding and strong bipartisan support in the US Congress for the deepening of India-US relations. He highlighted the remarkable progress made in India-US bilateral ties and outlined his vision for further elevating the partnership. The Prime Minister emphasized the tremendous opportunities that India presents to the world and the significant strides it has made in various fields.

A reception hosted by Speaker McCarthy in honor of Prime Minister Modi followed the address. This marked the second time the Prime Minister addressed a Joint Session of the US Congress, with his previous address occurring during his official visit to the USA in September 2016.

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for the honor of addressing the United States Congress for the second time. He acknowledged the presence of both familiar faces from his previous visit and new friends among the members. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to notable figures such as Senator Harry Reid, Senator John McCain, Senator Orrin Hatch, Elijah Cummings, Alcee Hastings, and others who had passed away since his last visit.

Reflecting on the progress of India-US relations, Prime Minister Modi stated, “A lot has changed since I came here seven summers ago. But a lot has remained the same – like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the United States.” He highlighted the advancements in artificial intelligence and the deepening partnership between America and India.

Addressing the members of Congress, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the challenges and responsibilities they face as representatives of a vibrant democracy. He praised their ability to come together in celebration of the bond between the world’s two great democracies. The Prime Minister expressed his willingness to assist whenever a strong bipartisan consensus is required, while emphasizing the importance of unity when speaking for their respective nations.

Speaking about the shared values of democracy, Prime Minister Modi referred to India as the “Mother of Democracy” and commended the United States as the oldest democracy. He emphasized the significance of democracy as a spirit that supports equality, dignity, and a culture that fosters free thought and expression.

Prime Minister Modi further highlighted India’s achievements in various fields, including infrastructure development, healthcare, financial inclusion, and digital technology. He underscored India’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation, citing the country’s significant growth in solar capacity and its status as the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitment. The Prime Minister called for sustainability to become a people’s movement, emphasizing the importance of individual choices to make a positive impact on the environment.

The address concluded with Prime Minister Modi reaffirming India’s commitment to global cooperation, unity, and inclusivity. He highlighted India’s engagement with the world through initiatives like “One Sun, One World, One Grid” for clean energy and “One Earth, One Health” for global healthcare access. The Prime Minister also praised international efforts to celebrate the International Year of Millets and proposed the creation of a Memorial Wall at the United Nations to honor peacekeepers.