Modi swears by democratic values in historic address to US Congress

Salutes millions of Americans with roots in India including Vice President Kamala Harris who has made history

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history as the first Indian leader to address a joint session of the US Congress twice, he asserted India’s long standing commitment to democracy.

“Democracy is one of sacred and shared values,” Modi said amid applause, “Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity; democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse; democracy is a culture that gives wings to thoughts and expression.”

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India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. “In evolution of the democratic spirit,” he said, “India is the mother of democracy.”

The Prime Minister read a Sanskrit phrase in support of his contention, which, he said, meant “truth is one but the wise express it in a different ways.”

He spoke in English, reading from a teleprompter, to repeated applause from the floor and the packed visitors gallery, which frequently cheered him by chanting “Modi, Modi” and, finally, “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.

Modi who previously addressed the US Congress during his official visit to USA in September 2016 called the invitation to address it a second time an “exceptional privilege.”

In a salute to Indian Americans Modi said, “There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history.”

Modi was referring to Kamala Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and woman to be elected to the post of Vice President. Harris’ mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, immigrated from Chennai at the age of 19.

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As Modi made this comment, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiled and looked over at Indian American Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi sitting across the aisle from her and applauded and acknowledged them.

Modi also conveyed his appreciation for the long-standing and strong bipartisan support in the US Congress for the deepening of India-US relations.

He also spoke about the rapid strides made in India-US bilateral relations and shared his vision for elevating bilateral ties. He also outlined the enormous progress made by India and the opportunities that it presents for the world.

Modi arrived in the House Chamber to a rousing reception as lawmakers stood up and applauded as he walked up to the podium to deliver his address.

Members of the Indian-American community sat in the visitor galleries in the chamber and erupted into applause and chanted ‘Modi, Modi’ as the Indian leader walked in. Some of the members of the Indian-American community were dressed in traditional Indian attire.

Modi waved to the diaspora in the galleries overhead before he began his address. Modi’s address received about 15 standing ovations from US lawmakers and multiple applauses.

Modi’s address ended with a prolonged standing ovation and applause from the lawmakers and members of the Indian-American community.

As Modi walked to exit the chamber, several lawmakers crowded around him, shaking his hand, congratulating him and getting his autograph on special copies of his speech that were circulated to the attendees.

Members of the community shouted ‘Modi, Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ (Victory for Mother India).

Modi described the Russian invasion of Ukraine one of “deeply disruptive developments” in recent years when “war returned to Europe”. He said the Global South was deeply affected.

“The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Prime Minister said to loud applause from the lawmakers.

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“As I have said directly, and publicly. This is not an era of war,” Modi went on to say, to even louder and longer applause, with whoops, adding, “But it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering.”

Earlier, on arrival at the Capitol Hill, Modi was accorded a formal welcome by the Congressional leaders. He then had separate meetings with the House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and the Congressional leaders.

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