Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful speech to the joint session of the US Congress on Thursday, where he emphasized India’s democratic values and diversity as the basis for a strong partnership with the US.
Modi, who was on his first official visit to the US since President Joe Biden took office, said that India and the US share a “sacred and shared” value of democracy, which is the “mother of democracy” and the “culture that gives wings to thought and expression”.
He also said that India’s democracy is not just a celebration of freedom, but also of diversity, which defines its development and inclusion. He invited the US lawmakers and citizens to understand India’s complex and vibrant democracy, which has over 75 years of history after a thousand years of foreign rule.
Modi used the word ‘democracy’ 14 times in his speech, which was seen as a response to some of the criticism he has faced from human rights groups and activists over issues such as minority rights, free speech and dissent in India.
He also pushed back at a question from an American reporter at the White House earlier on Wednesday, who asked him about India’s democratic credentials. Modi said he was surprised by the question and asserted that India is a democracy.
Modi’s speech was well received by the US Congress members, who gave him several standing ovations and applauded his vision for a closer cooperation between the two countries on various issues such as climate change, terrorism, trade, technology and health.
Modi also praised Biden for his leadership and friendship, and said that he looks forward to working with him to strengthen the Indo-US ties in the coming years.