House members of Indian descent-and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Black and of Indian descent, as examples of the impact of the diaspora. He also cheered the “samosa caucus”-the six U.S. Later, Modi told Congress that “our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy” as the two countries expand partnerships in defense, semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. I’m confident that working together will be successful.” “I believe that our strategic partnership is important. “All eyes are on the two largest democracies in the world, India and America,” Modi said. As Modi arrived, the crowd - including many members of the Indian diaspora - broke out in a chant of “Modi, Modi, Modi.” Thousands gathered on the White House South Lawn for the welcoming ceremony, listening to performances by violinist Vibha Janakiraman and the a cappella group Penn Masala. The state visit, just the third of the Biden’s presidency, was certainly a glitzy affair. During their Oval Office meeting, Biden said, he and Modi had a “good discussion about democratic values” while Modi said “there’s absolutely no space for discrimination” when pressed about his own commitment on human rights. Standing alongside Modi, Biden emphasized that press, religious and other fundamental freedoms should be at the core of how both democracies operate. “By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honor of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world.” “When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words,” Bush, Tlaib, Omar and Bowman said in a joint statement. Cori Bush of Missouri, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Greg Casar of Texas, Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York - boycotted Modi’s address to Congress, because of concerns about his human rights records. At least six Democratic lawmakers -Democratic Reps. The premier’s description runs counter to accusations by rights groups of widespread attacks and discrimination against India’s Muslims and other minorities under Modi.Ī group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote to Biden this week urging him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms during the visit. WATCH: Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi hold joint news briefing during state visit to U.S. “We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them,” added Modi, in a line that brought many cheering lawmakers to their feet. Nevertheless, later in an address before a joint meeting of Congress, Modi insisted that in India “diversity is a natural way of life.” Yet Modi has faced criticism over legislation amending the country’s citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization for some migrants but excludes Muslims, a rise in violence against Muslims and other religious minorities by Hindu nationalists, and the recent conviction of India’s top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, for mocking Modi’s surname. We live democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept.” He said India has “proved that democracies can deliver and when I say deliver, this is regardless of class, creed, religion, gender.” “Democracy is our spirit,” Modi, who rarely takes questions from journalists, said through an interpreter. and India among the most consequential in the world and “more dynamic than at any time in history.” He underscored how two of the world’s most powerful democracies were cooperating on issues such as the climate, health care and space, saying that the U.S-India economic relationship was “booming.”īut Modi bristled at a reporter’s question about his country’s commitment to democratic values as the country has seen an erosion of religious, political and press freedoms under his watch. In a joint news conference with Modi, Biden called the relationship between the U.S. Watch Modi’s remarks in the player above. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden on Thursday pronounced the U.S.-India relationship never stronger and rolled out new business deals with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as human rights activists and American lawmakers questioned the administration’s decision to honor the leader with a pomp-filled state visit.
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