Washington: Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be “no ifs or buts” in dealing with the scourge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said as he sought action against its state sponsors, in an oblique attack on Pakistan.
In his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi said that more than two decades after 9/11 and over a decade after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world.
“These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror,” Modi said in his 60-minute address in English.
In the India-US joint statement released after the talks between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden, the two countries expressed their resolve to fight terrorism and extremism.
“The United States and India stand together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations,” it said.
Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, the statement said.
“They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice,” it said.
They noted with concern the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse.
In his address to the US Congress on Thursday, Modi also made a veiled reference to China, saying the global order is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Noting that the Ukraine conflict is causing great pain in the region, Modi said he has said directly and publicly, “This is not an era of war. But, one of dialogue and diplomacy.”
Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi said it is always a great honour to address the US Congress and an exceptional privilege to do so twice.
Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016.
“Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century,” he said.
Modi said as there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence – in the past few years, at the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in other AI- America and India.
“We were strangers in defence cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the US has become one of our most important defence partners,” said Modi, who is currently on his maiden state visit.
His words received a standing ovation from US lawmakers.
Modi said democracy is one of their sacred and shared values.
“It has evolved over a long time, and taken various forms and systems. Throughout history, however, one thing has been clear. Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse,” he said.
Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression, he said, adding that India is blessed to have had such values from times immemorial.
In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the “Mother of Democracy”, he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was honoured to have addressed the US Congress twice and thanked all its members for attending his historic joint address where he laid out his vision for the future of the defining bilateral partnership.
Modi on Thursday became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. His first address to a joint meeting of the US Congress was in 2016.
“Honoured to address the US Congress. Gratitude to all the members of Congress who attended today. Your presence signifies the strength of India-USA ties and our shared commitment to a better future. I look forward to continued partnership in fostering global peace and progress,” he tweeted.
Modi, in his hour-long speech in English, said every Indian prime minister and American president of the past has taken the bilateral relationship further.
“But our generation has the honour of taking it to greater heights. I agree with President (Joe) Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century,” he said.
In a series of tweets, Modi also thanked US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer among others for their remarks on his state visit to the US.
“Your warm welcome is highly appreciated @SpeakerMcCarthy. Eager to enhance our bilateral cooperation, fostering an even stronger bond between our countries,” Modi said in response to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
McCarthy was also seen getting a copy of Modi’s address to the joint meeting signed by the prime minister.
“Indeed @LeaderMcConnell, our meeting comes at a crucial time. The challenges we face can be effectively addressed, guided by the values we share. Our nations will continue to work together to uphold these ideals for the prosperity of our nations and the planet,” Modi said while responding to Mitch McConnell, the leader of the opposition Republican Party in the US Senate.
“Thank you for your presence at the address, Senator @MarkWarner and for your commitment to our partnership. Indeed, the cooperation between our great nations is vital for addressing today’s global challenges. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future,” he said in response to the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
“Thank you for the warm welcome @SenSchumer. It’s always an honour to address friends at the US Congress. Looking forward to strengthening our ties and continuing our work towards shared goals. The future is brighter when our nations stand together,” he responded to New York Senator Chuck Schumer.
Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, thanked US Vice President Kamala Harris for her remarks.
“Thank you, @VP @KamalaHarris. Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors,” he tweeted.
Modi also thanked lawmakers Nikema Williams, Brad Sherman, Greg Stanton, Colin Allred, John Duarte, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Marc Veasey, Don Bacon, Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Lawler, French Hill and Seth Magaziner.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the stellar achievements of Indian-Americans in his remarks at the state dinner in which he had his high-profile guests often in laughter.
Both President Joe Biden and Modi regaled their guests with some light moments while also being generous to each other, with the prime minister ending his speech with a toast to his wonderful hosts, including first lady Jill Biden, and the bond between the two countries.
With Modi having a busy day attending several events, he said he had forgotten the count of speeches he made on Thursday.
Apparently referring to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol who surprised guests by singing a song during a similar state dinner hosted for him in April, Modi said Biden’s hospitality has moved his guests to sing, evoking laughter from the guests. He then wished that he too had the singing talent that “I could have also sung a song.”
Modi recalled that during a dinner hosted for him in 2014, he could not eat anything as he was on a Navratri fast while Biden, then vice-president, often enquired with concern that if there is anything he can eat during the fast.
“Your wish to feed me is now being fulfilled,” Modi said.
In his comments, Biden said light-heartedly that both leaders raising the toast do not drink. He dwelt on the two countries’ historic ties and praised the contributions of Indian Americans.
The President also spoke about Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to the US, and his impact on the ideas here and invoked his famous poem ‘Where mind is without fear’.
In his address, Modi said Indian-Americans have played a significant role in the all-round development of the nation they live in and also in strengthening the India-US relationship.
The State Dinner was hosted in his honour by Bidens at the North Lawn of the White House. More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner and they included big names in the tech world and billionaire industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Google CEO Sunder Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
During his address at the dinner, Modi raised a toast for his “wonderful” hosts.
He raised it for good health, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness to liberty, equality and fraternity, and to the ever-lasting bonds of friendship between India and the US.
“With every passing day, Indians and Americans are getting to know each other better. We can pronounce each other’s names correctly. We can understand each other’s accents better. Children in India become Spider-Man on Halloween, and America’s youth are dancing to the tune of ‘Naatu Naatu’,” the prime minister said.
Americans love baseball, but cricket is also becoming popular in the US, he said. “The American team is trying its best to qualify for the Cricket World Cup to be held in India later this year. I wish them good luck and success,” the prime minister said.
Modi told Biden that he has gathered a group of exceptionally talented and remarkable people tonight.
“I must commend you for that. These people symbolise so much about India-US relations, our energy, our dynamism and our nation,” he said.
“Indian Americans have come a long way in the US. They are proud of India’s values, democratic traditions and culture and have always found a respectful place in America’s melting pot. Indian Americans have played a significant role in further strengthening the inclusive society and economy of the US,” Prime Minister Modi said.
“Be it hospitals or hotels, universities or research labs, gas stations or logistics management, they are making their mark everywhere,” the prime minister said.
Modi spoke in Hindi with the speech being translated to English.
President Biden in his remarks said the bonds between India and the US stretch back to America’s earliest days.
“In 1792, our first president, George Washington, established one of the first consulates in Calcutta, a hub of commerce and culture…,” he said.
Biden said there are reasons the two democracies endure, allow and reflect to renew generation after generation.
“I see in my visit to India. I see in the diaspora here in America, in the arts, education, in media, law, medicine, science and businesses of every size, in Spelling Bee champions, and even in cricket clubs across the country, including back in my home state of Delaware and a record number of Indian-Americans in Congress who are here tonight,” the president said.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Biden and the First Lady.
The guest list also included human rights activist Martin Luther King III, tennis legend Billie Jean King, filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Grammy award winner Joshua Bell and entrepreneur Frank Islam.
Indian-American lawmakers on the list were Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera and Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Members of the Biden family at the dinner included Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden, James Biden and Naomi Biden Neal.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who will host a luncheon for Prime Minister Modi on Friday, was also present.
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the dinner along with US diplomats and members of the Biden administration.
