Without naming China, PM flags ‘dark clouds of coercion’; ‘no ifs or buts’ on terror from Pakistan

He enunciated New Delhi’s approach as the Biden administration works on a coalition of like-minded countries, the democracies versus the autocracies. And said, “I agree with President Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century.”

Without naming China, he was clear on Beijing: “The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership.”

“We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality.”

In a veiled reference to Chinese belligerence in the region, he called for “a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity.”

“Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, Quad has emerged as a major force of good for the region,” he said, placing the Quad grouping in the context of a counter to Beijing’s aggressive behaviour.

Bringing the US into the India matrix, Modi called for working together in space, semiconductors, farming, artificial intelligence, energy and education, healthcare and humanitarian efforts.

“When I speak about India’s approach to the world, the United States occupies a special place. I know our relations are of great importance to all of you. Every Member of this Congress has a deep interest in it. When defence and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania thrive. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircrafts creates more than a million jobs in forty four states in America,” he said.

“When an American phone maker invests in India, it creates an entire ecosystem of jobs and opportunities, in both countries. When India and the US work together on semiconductors and critical minerals, it helps the world in making supply chains more diverse, resilient and reliable. Indeed, Mister Speaker, we were strangers in defence cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the United States has become one of our most important defence partners. Today India and the US are working together, in space and in the seas, in science and in semiconductors, in start-ups and sustainability, in tech and in trade, in farming and finance, in art and artificial intelligence, in energy and education, in healthcare and humanitarian efforts.”

“The scope of our cooperation is endless, The potential of our synergies is limitless, And, the chemistry in our relations is effortless,” he said.

He then referred to Russia, India’s biggest defence supplier, and recalled his words to President Vladimir Putin. “As I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war. But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And, we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering.”

“The last few years have seen deeply disruptive developments. With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe. Countries of the Global South have been particularly affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. This was met with a long round of applause, and a standing ovation.

In his address, he stuck to the theme of democracy: “Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long time and taken various forms of 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, democracy is a culture that gives wings to thoughts and expression. India has been blessed to have such values since times immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the mother of democracy…Together we shall give a better future to the world and a better world to the future.”

“When I was here in 2016, I had said that ‘our relationship is primed for a momentous future’. That future is today.”

The almost hour-long speech to the US Congress, longer than his 45-minute address in 2016, was punctuated with applause and standing ovation several times by members including Vice President Kamala Harris.

He reached out to the Indian American diaspora while underlining the value they bring to the table.

“The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people. Throughout your history, you have embraced people from around the world. And, you have made them equal partners in the American dream. There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history,” he said, referring to Harris.

“I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here,” he said, leading to laughter all around.

“Being a citizen of a vibrant democracy myself, I can admit one thing Mister Speaker – you have a tough job. I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together today, to celebrate the bond between the world’s two great democracies – India and the United States,” he said.

“There will be, and there must be, a contest of ideas at home. But we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation,” he said.

“Last year, India celebrated 75 years of its independence. Every milestone is important, but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of over 75 years of freedom, after a thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity. Not just of the Constitution, but also of its spirit of social empowerment. Not just of our competitive and cooperative federalism, but also of our essential unity and integrity.”

In his address, he showcased India’s diversity and respect for all faiths. Talking about 2,500 political parties, 20 different parties govern various states, 22 official languages, thousands of dialects, and food changes every 100 miles, he said, “And yet we speak in one voice…We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life.”

And, then he highlighted the scale and magnitude of the Indian economy, and society, and the opportunities available.

“When I first visited the US as Prime Minister, India was the tenth largest economy in the world. Today, India is the fifth largest economy. And, India will be the third largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows.”

Flagging terrorism as a concern, Modi said there can be “no ifs or buts” in dealing with terrorism and sought action against state sponsors of terrorism, in a veiled attack on Pakistan.

He said more than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11, 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,” he said.

On the task at hand, he said that every Indian Prime Minister and American President of the past has taken the relationship further. “But our generation has the honour of taking it to greater heights. I agree with President Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century,” he said.

“We come from different circumstances and history, but we are united by a common vision. And, by a common destiny. When our partnership progresses, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science flourishes, knowledge advances, humanity benefits, our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter, and the world will be a better place. That is the mission of our partnership. That is our calling for this century.”

“Even by the high standards of our partnership, this visit is one of a great positive transformation. Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver. I count on your continued support for the India-US partnership,” he said.

As he ended his address, he was surrounded by members who wanted his autographs on the copy of the speech text.