The leaders of the US Congress have extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate on June 22. Washington considers this invitation one of the highest honors granted to foreign dignitaries.
PM Modi addresses US Congress: In a letter to Modi, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged him to use his speech to discuss the global issues that both India and the United States are grappling with.
This would be Modi’s second address before a joint session of the US Congress.
President Joe Biden invited Modi for a state visit this month; the White House declared last month.
To prevail in what he has portrayed as a battle between free and autocratic civilizations, especially China, Biden is eager to strengthen connections with the largest democracy in the world.
Joint sessions of Congress typically permit only the closest US allies or significant international individuals to address them. For example, Presidents Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea and Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine spoke to the House and Senate in April and December, respectively.
Several Indian leaders have given such addresses. Modi did so last in 2016. Jawaharlal Nehru, who became prime minister in 1949, was the first.
Modi’s relationship with Washington had changed since 2005 when the administration of former President George W. Bush denied him entry under a US law that forbade admittance to foreigners who had committed “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”
After Modi was elected as the chief minister of Gujarat, sectarian riots broke out in the Indian state, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, predominantly among Muslims. Modi disclaimed any misconduct.
McCarthy, Schumer, McConnell, and Jeffries stated in their letter that the speech would honor the ongoing alliance between the US and India.