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In a nearly hour-long speech to the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched on a variety of topics. They were met with applause and standing ovation several times by members of the US Congress, including Vice President Kamala Harris.
The speech this time was longer in duration than the previous time, which was about 45 minutes in 2016.
American Indian diaspora:
He reached out to American Indian expatriates while also conveying to the political class in the United States about the value they bring to the negotiating table.
“The Foundation of America is inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people throughout your history. You embrace people from all over the world and make them equal partners in the American Dream.. There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this room. And there is someone behind me who made history.”
“I was told that the collection of samosas has now become the flavor of the house. I hope it will grow and bring diversity to Indian cuisine.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the Joint Session of the US Congress. (Image source: PMO)
Politics and polarization, but the nation first:
As a fellow Democrat, he conveyed to the political class that there can be differences at home, but the countries’ political class must speak with one voice, putting the interests of the country first.
I can talk about the battles of pressure, persuasion and politics. I can understand the controversy over ideas and ideology. But I am pleased to see you gathered today to celebrate the relationship between the two largest democracies in the world. India and the United States”.
“There will be and must be a contest of ideas at home. But we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation,” he said, in what could be seen as an indirect reference to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks abroad.
A big shout out to democracy and its value:
Modi made it a point to focus on the values of democracy, something that has been confronted with questions, and in the United States which is also facing its own challenges. And all this, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. for their contribution to achieving “Freedom, Equality and Justice.”
“Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long period and has taken various forms of regimes. However, one thing has been clear throughout history: democracy is the spirit that upholds equality and dignity. Democracy is an idea that welcomes discussion and discourse, and democracy is a culture that gives Wings for ideas and expression. India has been blessed to have such values since time immemorial. In the development of democratic spirit, India is the mother of democracy.”
Together we will give the world a better future and a better world for the future.
75 years of independence
Modi touched on one of his favorite topics about freedom after foreign rule, and what that means for him.
“Last year, India celebrated 75 years of Independence…we celebrated a remarkable journey of over 75 years of freedom after 1,000 years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity, not just our constitution, but also Our social empowerment spirit, not only by our competitiveness and collaborative federalism, but also by our fundamental unity and integrity.”
Show diversity: Show India’s diversity and respect for all religions.
Speaking of 2,500 political parties, 22 official languages, thousands of dialects, and food changing every 100 miles, he said, “And yet we speak with one voice… We are home to all the world’s religions and we celebrate them all with a diverse, natural way of life.”
Today, the world wants to know more and more about India. I see curiosity in this house has had the honor of receiving more than 100 members of the US Congress in India over the past decade. Everyone wants to understand development, democracy and diversity in India. Everyone wants to know what India is doing.”
Show them the economic opportunity and scale:
Showcasing the size and scale of the Indian economy, society, and opportunities.
“When I first visited the United States as prime minister, India was the tenth largest economy in the world. Today India is the fifth largest economy. India will soon be the third largest. Not only are we growing bigger, we are also growing faster when India grows, and it grows the whole world “.
So, from infrastructure development – Homes (We have delivered nearly 40 million homes to supply sector to over 150 million people. Almost six times the population of Australia), National Health Insurance Program (guarantees free medical treatment for about 500 million people , greater than the population of South America), unbanked banking (nearly 500 million people benefited, close to the population of North America), and more than 850 million smartphone and Internet users in the country (more than the population of Europe).
Women’s Empowerment
From female presidents to elected leaders in panchayat, to women in armed forces.
“Today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future… Today, women are serving our country in the army, navy and air force. India also had the highest percentage of women pilots in the world, and they also put us on Mars by piloting our vision of Mars.” .I believe that investing in a girl child lifts up the whole family, and empowers women to change the nation,” he said.
Youth and technology
Youth is driving the technology revolution in the country. “The younger generation is also making India a technology hub,” he said, explaining mobile payments, applications, data science and quantum computing.
“If you visit India, you will see that everyone uses phones for payments including street vendors. Last year, out of every 100 real-time digital payments in the world, 46 took place in India.”
Environmental care
“Earth is our mother and we are her children. In Indian culture, I have great respect for the environment,” he said. India has become the only G20 country to honor its commitments in Paris. Everyone can have a positive impact. Making sustainability a mass movement… Our vision is Pro-Planet Progress, Our Vision is Pro-Planet Prosperity, and Our Vision is Pro-Planet People.”
The world is one family
From yoga to millet, vaccines to peacekeepers – how India has always been willing to share.
“We reach out to others during disasters as first responders, as we do for our own. We share our humble resources with those who need them most. We build capabilities, not dependencies.”
The place of the United States in India’s scheme of things
How important is the US to India and vice versa, Modi made the case during his speech. He called for working together in space, semiconductors, agriculture, artificial intelligence, energy, education, healthcare and humanitarian efforts
When I talk about India’s approach to the world, the United States holds a special place. I know our relationships are of great importance to all of you. Every member of this Congress has a deep interest in it. When defense and aerospace grow in India, industries thrive in Washington state, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.”
“When American companies grow, India’s R&D centers thrive. When Indians fly more, one order of aircraft creates more than a million jobs in 44 states in America.”
“When US phone makers invest in India, it creates a whole ecosystem of jobs and opportunities in both countries. When India and the US work together on critical semiconductors and metals, it helps make supply chains more diversified, resilient and reliable.
Focusing his attention on the new sectors of defense and biotechnology, he said, “We were outsiders in defense cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the United States is one of our most important defense partners.”
Ukraine dispute
Referring to “deeply disturbed developments” in the past few years, he said, “With the conflict in Ukraine, war has returned to Europe causing great pain in the region… The countries of the South have been particularly affected. The world order is based on respect for the principle of the United Nations Charter peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Recalling his words to Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said: “I said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war,” but it is dialogue and diplomacy and we must all do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering.
China took over the land of the United States
He also confronted China, he said, “dark clouds of coercion and confrontation casting shadows over the Indo-Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership.”
“We share the vision of a free, open and inclusive Indian Ocean… a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices. Their progress is not stifled by impossible debt burdens, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes,” he said.
Terrorism is a concern
Modi also said there could be “no ifs or no reservations” in dealing with terrorism and sought action against state sponsors of terrorism, in a veiled attack on Pakistan.
He said that more than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, extremism and terrorism remain an urgent threat to the entire world.
These ideologies continue to take on new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of mankind and there can be no whether to deal with it. Modi said in his 60-minute English speech.
The task at hand for both India and the United States:
Emphasizing that India and the US come from different circumstances and histories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the visit is one of the “big positive shift” and together they will prove that “democracy is better and democracies advance”.
He said every Indian prime minister and US president has pushed the relationship further, but this generation has the task of achieving greater heights.
He said, “We are united by a common vision and a common destiny. When our partnership advances, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science thrives, knowledge advances, and humanity benefits. Our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter and the world will be a better place. This is the mission of our partnership.” This is our call of the century.”
“Even by the high standards of our partnership, this visit is one of the great positive transformations. Together we will prove that democracy is better and democracies make it happen. I count on your continued support of the Indo-US partnership,” said the Prime Minister.
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