WASHINGTON — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome as he delivered a speech to Congress on Thursday, celebrating the growing ties and shared ambitions of the world’s two largest democracies.
Modi made the rare address to a joint meeting of Congress on the same day President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host him for a state dinner, an honor reserved for the closest allies of the U.S.
“Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century,” Modi told lawmakers, drawing applause in the House chamber. “I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together today to celebrate the bond between world’s two great democracies: India and the United States.
“I agree with President Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century,” he said. “Because it serves a larger purpose. Democracy, demography and destiny give us that purpose.”
While Modi has faced criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and advocates over human rights and his country’s reluctance to break with Russia in its war in Ukraine, the Biden administration and leaders of both major parties are unified in their belief that India is a vital ally for Washington’s top foreign policy goal — containing the rise of China — and a partner on defense, technology and energy.
Modi — who has dealt with violent clashes with China on the border it shares with India — visited at a time of rising U.S.-China tensions.
“The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” he told Congress. “The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership. We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
“Now, the United States has become one of our most important defense partners,” he said to a standing ovation from lawmakers.