Modi will become 5th Indian PM to address joint meet of Congress.
By Sujeet Rajan
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan has formally invited the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress onJune 8, during a State visit.
Modi will become only the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of the US Congress, after Rajiv Gandhi in 1985, PV Narasimha Rao in 1994, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000 and Manmohan Singh in 2005. Jawaharlal Nehru had addressed only the House of Representatives in 1949.
“India is the most populous democracy, and soon it is going to be the most populous country. The friendship between our nations is a pillar of stability in a very, very important region. This address presents a special opportunity for us to deepen our ties with our ally India,” said Ryan, in a statement to The American Bazaar.
“It is a chance to hear from the Prime Minister on how we can work together to promote our shared values and to increase prosperity. I want to thank Chairman Royce and Congressman Holding for their leadership and for their commitment to this relationship with India,” added Ryan.
Democrat Congressman from California Ami Bera, who had sent a letter to Ryan along with his co-chair of the House India caucus George Holding, apart from Ed Royce and Eliot Engel, chairperson and ranking member of the House foreign relations committee, earlier this month to invite Modi to address Congress, said in a statement to The American Bazaar that Modi’s address “will be an opportunity for members of Congress to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing our two nations.”
Bera said in his statement: “India is a key partner of the United States, and this will be an opportunity for members of Congress to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing our two nations. As the son of parents who emigrated from India, this is a special privilege for me and I look forward to working to strengthen our special global relationship with India.”
Congressman Brad Sherman, who had tried to persuade former speaker John Boehner to invite Modi to address a joint session of Congress on an earlier visit, said in a statement to The American Bazaar: “Since India’s independence in 1947, the relationship between the United States and India has steadily grown. The United States and India have a unique relationship based on shared democratic values. The Prime Minister’s visit is an opportunity to build on the U.S-India strategic partnership to the benefit of both our nations.”
Sherman added: “As things stand, our current trade relationship amounts to around $110 billion. I am encouraged by Prime Minister Modi’s reform efforts and hope we can work together to make it easier for U.S. companies to invest in India and increase U.S. exports.”
Engel lauded the move by Ryan, saying in a statement: “In the last few years, the long relationship between the United States and India has grown even stronger. Our collaboration on issues from climate change and the environment to defense to economic growth shows just how many concerns our countries share.”