During his speech to the joint session of the United States Congress on June 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the positive impact of the India-US partnership on the global future. In his previous visit in 2016, Modi expressed his belief in a significant future for the relationship between India and the US. During his recent address, he proclaimed that the future has arrived.
Expanding on India’s progress, Modi emphasized the country’s commitment to the concept of Vasudeva Kutumbhakam, which means “the world is one family.” He emphasized that India’s vision encompasses not only development but also development led by women. He pointed out that nearly 1.5 million elected women hold leadership positions at various levels of local governance in India, and the country boasts the largest number of women pilots in the world.
Regarding technological advancements in India, the Prime Minister highlighted the widespread adoption of unique biometric identities connected to bank accounts and mobile phones, with over a billion people benefiting from this system in the past nine years. He also mentioned the popularity of digital payments among street vendors, revealing that India witnessed 46 real-time payments per 100 transactions last year.
Modi proudly stated that India is the only G-20 country to uphold the Paris Agreement commitments, with 40 percent of its energy coming from renewable sources. He also noted that India currently holds the position of the fifth-largest economy in the world and is expected to soon rise to the third spot. He emphasized that India’s growth contributes to global growth, given its substantial population of one-sixth of the world’s total.
Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of granting a global voice to the countries in the global South. He advocated for the inclusion of the African Union as a member of the G20, presenting it as a way forward.
Modi received a standing ovation for the majority of his speech. The audience enthusiastically chanted slogans such as “Bharath Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” whenever he mentioned bilateral ties. The gallery included elected officials from the US Congress, the Indian delegation, and a significant number of Indian American attendees.
