WASHINGTON, DC – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on Capitol Hill on Thursday to deal with a joint assembly of Congress as a part of a multi-day tour by the US geared toward constructing on U.S.-India relations.
Modi, flanked by Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Kamala Harris, spoke to members of the Home and Senate about democracy, the Russia-Ukraine warfare, financial system, well being care, and developments in know-how and the atmosphere, amongst different matters.
The prime minister was met with heavy rounds of applause when he entered the Home chamber, and attendees within the chamber’s gallery might be heard chanting “Modi! Modi!”
He opened his remarks by expressing his “deepest gratitude on behalf of the 1.4 billion folks of India,” the world’s most populous nation, and would later reiterate India’s dimension as he touted its financial progress.
“When India grows, the entire world grows,” Modi mentioned.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) stroll to a gathering forward of a joint assembly of Congress on the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2023. (Ashley Oliver/Breitbart Information)
Modi additionally peppered his speech with humor, saying to McCarthy at one level, “Mr. Speaker, you’ve got a troublesome job!” and “Indian Individuals have performed a giant function. They’re good in each area, not simply in spelling bees.”
In a nod to Harris, who is an element Indian, he mentioned, “There’s one behind me, who has made historical past!”
Modi repeatedly talked about India and the US’ democratic widespread floor, saying, “Our partnership augurs effectively for the way forward for democracy.”
He obtained a number of standing ovations all through the speech, together with at one level when he spoke on freedom of faith, a controversial matter for India, the place persecution of Christians has grown exponentially below Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP).
India is dwelling to many religions and “we rejoice all of them,” Modi claimed.
Urging an finish to the Russia-Ukraine warfare additionally prompted standing applause from each events, however Modi didn’t particularly point out Russia amid underlying unease over India’s friendliness with the important thing U.S. adversary.
The battle in Ukraine “is inflicting nice ache” in Europe, he mentioned, noting that “the worldwide order relies on the respect for the ideas of the U.N. constitution, peaceable decision of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Modi added, “As I’ve mentioned straight and publicly, this isn’t an period of warfare.”
Whereas a majority of members attended the speech, a number of left-wing members, primarily from the “Squad,” introduced they might skip it in protest.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (R-MN) wrote in a press release, “I’ll NOT be attending Modi’s speech. I WILL be holding a briefing with human rights teams to debate Modi’s report of repression and violence.”
Rep. Summer season Lee (D-PA), who has been floated as a possible Squad recruit, mentioned the Indian authorities “has focused journalists, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist teams, and jailed political opponents – I’ll NOT be attending his handle as we speak.”
Others boycotting the occasion included Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
One high Democrat, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), clarified after some faulty experiences that he was not boycotting the occasion however somewhat lacking it for his daughter’s marriage ceremony. He famous he joined dozens of his Democrat colleagues in urgent President Joe Biden to deal with considerations of human rights abuses with Modi, nevertheless.
Following the joint assembly, Modi was set to attend a White Home state dinner with Biden. The historically lavish affair, the third of Biden’s tenure, would be largely meatless this time round as a result of Modi is vegetarian.
Modi additionally met with Biden earlier within the day on Thursday. Referencing the president, the prime minister instructed Congress, “I agree with President Biden that this can be a defining partnership of this century.”
Write to Ashley Oliver at aoliver@breitbart.com. Observe her on Twitter at @asholiver.
