PM Modi in US: India geared to become driver of global economy

After a speech marked by a standing ovation, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, from the Democratic Party, called the relations between India and the US a “beautiful friendship”. Recalling Modi’s speech in the Silicon Valley last September, she said it was one of the “most inspirational speeches”.

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John McCain, who was once presidential candidate from the Republican Party and is now the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, praised the leadership of the PM in improving the bilateral relationship. “There is no doubt there are tensions and challenges in the region, which calls for much better coordination and cooperation between India and the US,” he added.

Energy Secretary Moniz credited Modi with the Mission Innovation campaign.

Many Congressmen recalled Modi’s Madison Square Garden speech. While some praised him for his charisma and energy, some called him a “compassionate” man. Ami Bera, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the US House of Representatives, said he was proud of the PM.

Earlier, Modi said in his speech, “Today India is poised to contribute as a new engine of global growth… India is much more than a market.” He listed key features of a resurgent Indian economy that is geared to become a “driver of global economy”. India, he added, would continue to open up the defence sector.

Among the business leaders present were Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Pepsico’s Indra Nooyi, CISCO’s John Chambers and Sun Pharma’s Dilip Shanghvi.