"Today India is the fifth largest economy and soon we will be third largest economy"
The traditional Modi baiters will have tough time for a day or two to reconcile with what all went on in the US and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the joint sitting of Congress left the lawmakers awestruck.
As he spoke on wide range of issues including governance models, terrorism and hailed motherland India as the 'Mother of Democracy' and also punctuated his speech with humour on 'Samosa caucas', the American lawmakers posed for selfies with him and also queued up to take autographs.
Highlights: "During covid, we delivered vaccines and medicines to over 150 nations. We share our modest resources with those who need them the most. The US has become one of India's most important defence partners."
There were 12 standing ovations by members of Congress, and two separate standing ovations by the Indian community members in the gallery during his hour long speech.
Some highlights of the speech ::
-"India US shall demonstrate that democracies deliver. I count on your continued support for the partnership. In 2016, I said India-US relations are primed for a momentous future and that future is today." - PM
"Today we stand at a new dawn in our relationship that will not only shape our destiny but also of the world. Our trusted partnership is like the sun in this new dawn that spreads light all around. We come from different circumstances and history but we are united by a common vision and destiny."
"As we emerge out of the pandemic, we must give shape to a new world order. Giving voice to the global south is the way forward."
"We all must do everything we can to end the bloodshed and suffering. Dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting shadows in the Indo Pacific. Connectivity should not be leveraged for strategic purposes, all nations should be lifted by shared tides of prosperity.
More than a decade after 26/11 radicalism and terrorism remain a big issue for the world. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all forces sponsoring and exporting terror."
"Our knowledge partnership will help humanity. With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. The outcomes of the war are severe, and countries of the global south have been deeply impacted. Peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for territorial sovereignty and integrity. This is not an era of war but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy."
"Agree with President Biden that this is a defining partnership of the 21st century. India US will work together to diversify, decentralize and democratize supply chains. India and US have set up a new initiative on Critical and Emerging technology."
"Scope of India-US cooperation is endless. Indian Americans have played a big role in close India-US cooperation. Indian Americans are good in every field, not just in Spelling bee. Indian Americans have unlocked doors for India-US."
Samosa Caucas
“There are millions in the US who have roots in India and some of them sit in this chamber. One of them is seating behind, who has made history (pointing to Kamla Harris). I am told that Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings full diversity of Indian cuisine here,” PM Modi said amid standing ovation and Kamala Harris himself laughing out cheerfully.
It may be mentioned that Kamala Harris' mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was born in Chennai, India. Her mother later married a Jamican-born Donald J. Harris and settled in the United States.
Notably, Ms Harris often speaks about her Indian heritage and maintains a close tie with the Indian community.
Her election as the Vice President of the United States in 2020 made history, as she became the first woman, the first African-American woman, and the first person of Indian descent to hold the position.
More Highlights from the speech:
Diversity is natural way of life in India: #Modi at US Congress.....we are home to all faiths...and we celebrate all of them"
"LIFE is a way of making sustainability a true people's movement. India lives by the motto - the world is one family. India's engagement with the world is for everyone's benefit. One sun, one world, and one grid are aimed at connecting the world with green energy.
One Earth and one health is aimed at bringing quality health to everyone. We advance the spirit of humanity through yoga. Just last week all nations joined India's proposal to honour peacekeepers. The whole world is celebrating the international year of Millets. During covid, we delivered vaccines and medicines to over 150 nations. We share our modest resources with those who need them the most."
"Indian culture deeply respects our environment and our planet. While becoming the fastest-growing economy, we grew our solar capacity by 2,300 percent. Yes, you heard it right. 2300 percent. We were the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitments. We made renewables account for over 40% of all our energy sources, nine years ahead of the 2030 target."
Commentary from CNN:
"Modi and India, the world’s largest democracy, also represent a lynchpin in Biden’s strategy in Asia. The country recently surpassed China to become the most populous country on Earth.
No major global challenge, from climate change to advances in technology, can be addressed without India’s buy-in, in Biden’s view. And in an era of growing tensions between the US and China, there are few partners that Biden is more eager to cultivate."
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.
"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."
Modi was referring to his remarks in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at a joint media availability with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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