Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced criticism during his visit to the US concerning India’s human rights record, press freedom, and crackdowns on dissent. However, Modi addressed these concerns in a speech to Congress, asserting that India considers itself “the mother of democracy.” Upon his arrival in the House chamber, Modi received a warm welcome, with lawmakers eager to shake his hand and some in the gallery even shouting his name, as reported by The Washington Post. Throughout his speech, Modi highlighted the shared values between the US and India as two of the world’s “great democracies.” He emphasized the importance of working together to create a better future for the world.
Despite the warm reception in the House chamber, several House Democrats chose not to attend Modi’s speech due to the human rights allegations against India. Before Modi’s arrival, more than 70 lawmakers urged President Biden to address concerns about political violence, internet shutdowns, and other troubling signs during their meeting with Modi. In his address, Modi did not specifically mention these criticisms. However, he did highlight the potential for India to become an economic partner with the US, particularly in competition against China. Modi emphasized that India can help diversify supply chains away from China for critical resources like semiconductors and minerals, according to The Hill.
On the same day, bipartisan bills were introduced by Senate and House members to streamline the process of selling weapons to India. As a result, Modi received a standing ovation when he referred to the US as his country’s “most important defense partner” during his address. Later that evening, Modi joined Biden for a state dinner at the White House. (For more Narendra Modi stories, click here.)
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