Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, delivered a compelling address to a joint session of Congress, showcasing India as the preferred partner for the US in the global competition against China. This was Modi’s second speech to a joint session, greeted with enthusiastic applause and chants of his name from the gallery. He emphasized the significance of the US-India partnership, highlighting their shared commitment to democracy.
Despite existing differences and India’s neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine War, the Biden administration warmly received Modi. However, a few Democratic lawmakers chose to boycott his address due to concerns over human rights issues affecting India’s Muslim minority. Notwithstanding the boycott, Modi was honored with a state dinner.
India is viewed by the US as a vital partner in diversifying supply chains away from China, particularly for essential materials like semiconductors and critical minerals. Modi stressed the importance of making these supply chains more diverse, resilient, and reliable, aiming to diversify, decentralize, and democratize them.
The most resounding applause came when Modi referred to the US as India’s “most important defense partner,” leading to a standing ovation. Recognizing the Congress’s deep interest in US-India relations, Modi conveyed that the United States holds a special place in India’s approach to the world.
To further strengthen the defense partnership, a group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation to expedite weapons sales to India, streamlining the review and sales process for Foreign Military Sales. In addition, India announced its purchase of armed-drones from the US, along with plans for joint production of fighter-jet engines.
Modi also addressed the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, expressing concerns about coercion and confrontation and emphasizing the shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
While some Democrats share human rights groups’ concerns about rising Hindu nationalism, anti-Muslim violence, and the suppression of civil liberties and press freedoms under Modi’s leadership, he vehemently denied any discrimination based on caste, creed, or geographic location during a joint press conference with Biden.
While over 70 lawmakers urged Biden to address these concerns, only three House lawmakers, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, boycotted Modi’s speech to Congress.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address sought to strengthen the US-India partnership, highlighting their shared values and goals while addressing concerns raised by critics.
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