Indian PM Narendra Modi emphasises ‘common belief in liberty’ during landmark address to joint session of US Congress
Modi hailed the US as an “indispensable partner” in his nation’s push toward modernisation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, emphasising the importance of a continued relationship between the world’s oldest democracy and its largest.
But this visit to the United States, Modi’s fourth since he became prime minister two years ago, was undertaken with a unique purpose: to sow the seeds of a resolute alliance that will last beyond President Barack Obama’s term.
Our nations may have been shaped by differing histories, cultures and faiths. Yet our belief in democracy for our nations and liberty for our countrymen is common
“Our nations may have been shaped by differing histories, cultures and faiths. Yet our belief in democracy for our nations and liberty for our countrymen is common,” Modi said in his congressional address. “The embrace of our partnership extends to the entirety of human endeavour — from the depths of the oceans to the vastness of the space.”
Unlike in past trips to the United States, Modi wasn’t greeted by throngs of tens of thousands at venues as large as Madison Square Garden. Instead, he got right down to business.
In meeting with Obama on Tuesday and both houses of Congress 24 hours later, Modi was on a mission to emphasise his country’s close relationship with the United States and cement ties with its biggest trading partner before Obama leaves office next January.
During a joint meeting Tuesday, Obama and Modi announced that India would work closely with the United States to join the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The United States and India are the second and third largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world, respectively.
