New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Capitol Hill and addressed Congress lawmakers in a joint meeting on Thursday. Modi was received by Paul Ryan, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Here is what Modi said as he addressed the US Congress:
9:35 pm: Our relationship is primed for a great future. The past is behind us and foundations of the future are firmly in place, Modi tells the US Congress. He says 'there is a new symphony in play'.
9:32 pm: For us in India, to live in harmony with mother earth is a part of our ancient belief. Modi seeks to cooperate with the US on renewable energy.
Our partnership seeks to balance responsibilities with capabilities.
9:27 pm: Terrorism remains the biggest threat to the world, says Modi, adding that from West of India to Africa, it goes by different names like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Taliban and ISIS. Modi says terrorism is incubated in 'our neighbour' and adds that Pakistan uses terrorism for political gains.
The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels, not just through traditional means of military intelligence and diplomacy: Modi.
Those who believe in humanity must come together to fight terrorism and speak in one voice. Terrorism must be delegitimised: Modi.
9:22 pm: Institutions with the mindset of the 20th century have to change to reflect the mindset of today, says Modi.
India is already assuming responsibility in securing the Indian Ocean: Modi.
In every sector of India's march, I see US as an indispensable partner, PM Modi says in his address to US Congress.
India's strong economy and growth rate of 7.6% per annum, is creating new opportunities for our mutual prosperity: PM
9:15 pm: From nearly zero, our defence purchases from US have nearly reached $10 billion in a year. "A stronger and prosperous India is in US' strategic interests," says Modi. India can be the ideal location for the US to produce and manufacture, he adds, pushing Make in India programme.
Many from the Indian diaspora are among your best CEOs, scientists, economists, even spelling bee champs, PM Modi tells US Congress. He says his dream is to empower a billion citizens through many economic and social transformations.
9:10 pm: SIRI tells us that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the USA, says Modi. “We have not yet claimed intellectual property rights on Yoga,” jokes Modi.
We trade more with the US than with any other nation, he says.
9:05 pm: For my government, the Constitution is its real holy book, says PM Modi. And, in that holy book, freedom of faith, speech and franchise, and equality of all citizens, regardless of background, are enshrined as fundamental rights, he adds.
The India-US civil nuclear agreement in 2008 changed the relationship between the two countries. He says India is thankful to the US for standing by it in times of need, such as when terrorists from across the border attacked Mumbai is 2008.
Modi says the spirit of bipartisanship in the US Congress is visible in the Indian Parliament too, in the Rajya Sabha.
9:00 pm: Today, India lives as one, India grows as one and India celebrates as one, says Modi. He adds that all Indians have freedom from fear.
Modi invokes Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekanand, Martin Luther King and Babasaheb Ambedkar in his speech. Modi says India and the US have shared ideas of democracy and freedom.
8:50 pm: Modi invokes Abraham Lincoln, says the US Congress is a temple of democracy which encourages other nations. As the leader of the world's largest democracy, it is my privilege to speak to the world's first democracy, says Modi.
Modi also applauds the courage of the US armed forces, especially in the Second World War and thereafter in protecting freedom and democracy. He says India understands this because India's soldiers have fallen in the way of duty.
8:40 pm:
The members of the Congressional Escort Committee will escort Prime Minister into the House to deliver his address pic.twitter.com/FfV8douolV
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2016
8:30 pm: One of my most cherished memories is a statue of Gandhi gifted by a student named Modi decades ago, says Paul Ryan.
Modi will begin to address the US Congress soon.
8:11 pm: Our partnership with India is strong and will only get better in the future, Paul Ryan says ahead of PM Modi's address to the US Congress
Day 3 in DC: A day for democracy - PM @narendramodi arrives at Capitol Hill, is received by @SpeakerRyan pic.twitter.com/9z5gwnIoNq
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2016
After his speech at Capitol Hill, Modi will also have lunch with congressional leaders and attend a reception hosted by the House and Senate foreign affairs committees.
A White House meeting with President Barack Obama on Tuesday consolidated the strong bilateral ties but was short on major outcomes. India, the world’s third-largest carbon emitter among nations, said it would strive to formally join a global climate deal this year — as the U.S. and China have said they will do — but it gave no ironclad commitment.
There was also some progress on a landmark nuclear agreement between the U.S. and India that was reached in 2008. The two governments said that U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co is preparing to build six nuclear reactors in India, but it has yet to finalize a contract.
Modi will be the fifth Indian leader to make a speech to Congress since 1985. The last was by his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, in 2005.
