[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8092-8094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1050
JOINT MEETING TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY NARENDRA MODI, PRIME 
                   MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

  During the recess, the House was called to order by the Speaker at 10 
o'clock and 50 minutes a.m.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms, Ms. Kathleen Joyce, announced 
the Vice President and Members of the U.S. Senate, who entered the Hall 
of the House of Representatives, the Vice President taking the chair at 
the right of the Speaker, and the Members of the Senate the seats 
reserved for them.
  The SPEAKER. The joint meeting will come to order.
  The Chair appoints as members of the committee on the part of the 
House to escort His Excellency Narendra Modi into the Chamber:
  The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise);
  The gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers);
  The gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden);
  The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer);
  The gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Royce);
  The gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Holding);
  The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe);
  The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson);
  The gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Lummis);
  The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi);
  The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra);
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Bera);
  The gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott);
  The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone);
  The gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard);
  The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey);
  The gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards);
  The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen); and
  The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo).
  The VICE PRESIDENT. The President of the Senate, at the direction of 
that body, appoints the following Senators as members of the committee 
on the part of the Senate to escort His Excellency Narendra Modi into 
the House Chamber:
  The Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell);
  The Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn);
  The Senator from Utah (Mr. Hatch);
  The Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt);
  The Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso);
  The Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker);
  The Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Corker);
  The Senator from Ohio (Mr. Portman);
  The Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin);
  The Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray);
  The Senator from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow);
  The Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar); and
  The Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms announced the Acting Dean of 
the Diplomatic Corps, Her Excellency Hunaina Sultan Ahmed Al Mughairy, 
the Sultanate of Oman.
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps entered the Hall of the House 
of Representatives and took the seat reserved for her.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms announced the Cabinet of the 
President of the United States.
  The members of the Cabinet of the President of the United States 
entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took the seats 
reserved for them in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
  At 11 o'clock and 13 minutes a.m., the Sergeant at Arms, the 
Honorable Paul D. Irving, announced His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime 
Minister of the Republic of India.
  The Prime Minister of the Republic of India, escorted by the 
committee of Senators and Representatives, entered the Hall of the 
House of Representatives and stood at the Clerk's desk.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  The SPEAKER. Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and the 
distinct honor of presenting to you His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime 
Minister of the Republic of India.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  Prime Minister MODI. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, distinguished 
Members of the U.S. Congress, ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply honored 
by the invitation to address this joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for opening the door of this magnificent 
Capitol. This temple of democracy has encouraged and empowered other 
democracies the world over.
  It manifests the spirit of this great Nation which, in Abraham 
Lincoln's words, ``was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the 
proposition that all men are created equal.''
  In granting me this opportunity, you have honored the world's largest 
democracy and its 1.25 billion people. As a representative of the 
world's largest democracy, it is, indeed, a privilege to speak to the 
leaders of its oldest.
  Mr. Speaker, 2 days ago I began my visit by going to the Arlington 
National Cemetery, the final resting place of many brave soldiers of 
this great land. I honored their courage and sacrifice for the ideals 
of freedom and democracy.
  It was also the 72nd anniversary of the D-day. On that day, thousands 
from this great country fought to protect the torch of liberty. They 
sacrificed their lives so that the world lives in freedom. I applaud, 
India applauds the great sacrifices of the men and women from the land 
of the free and the home of the brave in service of mankind.
  India knows what this means because our soldiers have fallen in 
distant battlefields for the same ideals. That is why the threads of 
freedom and liberty form a strong bond between our two democracies.
  Mr. Speaker, our nations may have been shaped by differing histories, 
cultures, and faiths. Yet, our belief in democracy for our nations and 
liberty for our countrymen is common.
  The idea that all citizens are created equal is a central pillar of 
the American Constitution. Our founding fathers, too, shared the same 
belief and sought individual liberty for every citizen of India. There 
were many who doubted India when, as a newly independent nation, we 
reposed our faith in democracy. Indeed, wagers were made on our 
failure. But the people of India did not waver.
  Our founders created a modern nation with freedom, democracy, and 
equality as the essence of its soul. And, in doing so, they ensured 
that we continued to celebrate our age-old diversity.
  Today, across its individuals and institutions, in its villages and 
cities, in its streets and states, anchored in equal respect for all 
faiths, and in the melody of hundreds of its languages and dialects, 
India lives as one; India grows as one; India celebrates as one.
  Mr. Speaker, modern India is in its 70th year. For my government, the 
constitution is its real holy book. And, in that holy book, freedom of 
faith, speech and franchise, and equality of all citizens, regardless 
of background, are enshrined as fundamental rights. Eight hundred 
million of my countrymen may exercise the freedom of franchise once 
every 5 years. But all the 1.25 billion of our citizens have freedom 
from fear, a freedom they exercise every moment of their lives.
  Distinguished Members, engagement between our two democracies has 
been visible in the manner in which our thinkers impacted one another 
and shaped the course of our societies. Thoreau's idea of civil 
disobedience influenced our political thoughts. And,

[[Page 8093]]

similarly, the call by the great sage of India, Swami Vivekananda, to 
embrace humanity was most famously delivered in Chicago.
  Gandhi's nonviolence inspired the heroism of Martin Luther King. 
Today, a mere distance of 3 miles separates the Martin Luther King 
Memorial at the Tidal Basin from the statue of Gandhi at Massachusetts 
Avenue. This proximity of their memorials in Washington mirrors the 
closeness of ideals and values they believed in.
  The genius of Dr. Bhimrao ``Babasaheb'' Ambedkar was nurtured in the 
years he spent at the Colombia University a century ago. The impact of 
the U.S. Constitution on him was reflected in his drafting of the 
Indian constitution some three decades later.
  Our independence was ignited by the same idealism that fueled your 
struggle for freedom. No wonder, then, that former Prime Minister of 
India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, called India and the U.S. ``natural 
allies.'' No wonder that the shared ideals and common philosophy of 
freedom shaped the bedrock of our ties. No wonder, then, that President 
Obama has called our ties the defining partnership of the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, more than 15 years ago, Prime Minister Vajpayee stood 
here and gave a call to step out of the ``shadow of hesitation'' of the 
past. The pages of our friendship since then tell a remarkable story.
  Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. 
Comfort, candor, and convergence define our conversations. Through the 
cycle of elections and transitions of administrations, the intensity of 
our engagements has only grown. And, in this exciting journey, the U.S. 
Congress has acted as its compass. You helped us turn barriers into 
bridges of partnership.
  In the fall of 2008, when the Congress passed the India-U.S. Civil 
Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, it changed the very colors of leaves of 
our relationship. We thank you for being there when the partnership 
needed you the most.
  You have also stood by us in times of sorrow. India will never forget 
the solidarity shown by the U.S. Congress when terrorists from across 
our border attacked Mumbai in November of 2008. And for this, we are 
grateful.
  Mr. Speaker, I am informed that the working of the U.S. Congress is 
harmonious. I am also told that you are well known for your 
bipartisanship. Well, you are not alone. Time and again, I have also 
witnessed a similar spirit in the Indian Parliament, especially in our 
upper House. So, as you can see, we have many shared practices.
  Mr. Speaker, as this country knows well, every journey has its 
pioneers. Very early on, they shaped a development partnership, even 
when the meeting ground was more limited. The genius of Norman Borlaug 
brought the Green Revolution and food security to my country. The 
excellence of the American universities nurtured institutions of 
technology and management in India. And I could go on, but fast forward 
to the present.
  The embrace of our partnership extends to the totality of human 
endeavor, from the depths of the oceans to the vastness of the space. 
Our science and technology collaboration continues to help us in 
cracking the age-old problems in the fields of public health, 
education, food, and agriculture.
  Ties of commerce and investment are flourishing. We trade more with 
the U.S. than with any other nation. And the flow of goods, services, 
and capital between us generates jobs in both our societies.
  As in trade, so in defense. India exercises with the United States 
more than we do with any other partner. Defense purchases have moved 
from almost zero to $10 billion in less than a decade. Our cooperation 
also secures our cities and citizens from terrorists, and protects our 
critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Civil nuclear cooperation, 
as I told President Obama yesterday, is a reality.
  Mr. Speaker, our people-to-people links are strong, and there is a 
close cultural connect between our societies.
  Siri--you are familiar with the Siri. Siri tells us that India's 
ancient heritage of yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the U.S. 
It is estimated that more Americans bend for yoga than to throw a curve 
ball.
  And, no, Mr. Speaker, we have not yet claimed intellectual property 
right on yoga.
  Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of 3 
million Indian Americans. Today, they are among your best CEOs, 
academics, astronauts, scientists, economists, doctors, even spelling 
bee champions.
  They are your strength. They are also the pride of India. They 
symbolize the best of both of our societies.
  Mr. Speaker, my understanding of your great country began long before 
I entered public office. Long before assuming office, I traveled coast 
to coast, covering more than 25 States of America.
  I realized then that the real strength of the U.S. was in the dreams 
of its people and the boldness of their ambitions.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, a similar spirit animates India. Our 800 million 
youth are especially impatient. India is undergoing a profound social 
and economic change.
  A billion of its citizens are already politically empowered. My dream 
is to economically empower them through many social and economic 
transformations and do so by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India's 
independence.
  My to-do list is long and ambitious but, you will understand, it 
includes: a vibrant rural economy with a robust farm sector; a roof 
over each head and electricity for all households; to skill millions of 
our youth; build 100 smart cities; have broadband for a billion, and 
connect our villages to the digital world; and create a 21st century 
rail, road, and port infrastructure.
  These are not just aspirations: they are goals to be reached in a 
finite time frame, and to be achieved with a light carbon footprint, 
with greater emphasis on renewables.
  Mr. Speaker, in every sector of India's forward march, I see the U.S. 
as an indispensable partner. Many of you also believe that a stronger 
and prosperous India is in America's strategic interest.
  Let us work together to convert shared ideals into practical 
cooperation. There can be no doubt that, in advancing this 
relationship, both nations stand to gain.
  As the U.S. businesses search for new areas of economic growth, 
markets for their goods, a pool of skilled resources, and a global 
location to produce and manufacture, India could be their ideal 
partner.
  India's strong economy and growth rate of 7.6 percent per annum is 
creating a new opportunity for our mutual prosperity.
  Transformative American technologies in India and growing investment 
by Indian companies in the United States both have a positive impact on 
the lives of our citizens. Today, for their global research and 
development centers, India is the destination of choice for the U.S. 
companies.
  Looking eastward from India, across the Pacific, the innovation 
strength of our two countries comes together in California. Here, the 
innovative genius of America and India's intellectual creativity are 
working to shape new industries of the future.
  Mr. Speaker, the 21st century has brought with it great 
opportunities, but it has also come with its own set of challenges.
  While some parts of the world are islands of growing economic 
prosperity, others are mired in conflicts. In Asia, the absence of an 
agreed security
architecture creates uncertainty. Threats of terror are expanding, and 
new challenges are emerging in cyber and outer space.
  And global institutions conceived in the 20th century seem unable to 
cope with new challenges or take on new responsibilities. In this world 
full of multiple transitions and economic opportunities, growing 
uncertainties and political complexities, existing threats and new 
challenges, our engagement can make a difference by promoting: 
cooperation, not dominance; connectivity, not isolation; inclusive, not 
exclusive, mechanisms; respect for global commons; and, above all, 
adherence to international rules and norms.

[[Page 8094]]

  India is already assuming her responsibilities in securing the Indian 
Ocean region. A strong India-U.S. partnership can anchor peace, 
prosperity, and stability from Asia to Africa and from the Indian Ocean 
to the Pacific. It can also help ensure security of the sea lanes of 
commerce and freedom of navigation on the seas. But the effectiveness 
of our cooperation would increase if international institutions, framed 
with the mind-set of the 20th century, were to reflect the realities of 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, before arriving in Washington, D.C., I had visited 
Herat, in western Afghanistan, to inaugurate the Afghan-India 
Friendship Dam, built with Indian assistance. I was also there on 
Christmas Day last year to dedicate to that proud nation its 
Parliament, a testimony to our democratic ties.
  Afghans naturally recognize that the sacrifices of Americans have 
helped create a better life, but your contribution in keeping the 
region safe and secure is deeply appreciated even beyond.
  India, too, has made an enormous contribution and sacrifices to 
support our friendship with the Afghan people. A commitment to rebuild 
a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan is our shared objective.
  Yet, distinguished Members, not just in Afghanistan, but elsewhere in 
south Asia and globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat. In the 
territory stretching from west of India's border to Africa, it may go 
by different names, from Lashkar-e-Taiba, to Taliban, to ISIS, but its 
philosophy is common: of hate, murder, and violence. Although, its 
shadow is spreading across the world, it is incubated in India's 
neighborhood.
  I commend the Members of the U.S. Congress for sending a clear 
message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains. 
Refusing to reward them is the first step towards holding them 
accountable for their actions.
  The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels, and the 
traditional tools of military, intelligence, or diplomacy alone would 
not be able to win this fight.
  Mr. Speaker, we have both lost civilians and soldiers in combating 
terrorism. The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security 
cooperation and base it on a policy that isolates those who harbor, 
support, and sponsor terrorists; that does not distinguish between 
``good'' and ``bad'' terrorists; and that delinks religion from 
terrorism.
  Also, for us to succeed, those who believe in humanity must come 
together to fight for it as one, and speak against this menace in one 
voice. Terrorism must be delegitimized.
  Mr. Speaker, the benefits of our partnership extend not just to the 
nations and regions that need it most. On our own, and by combining our 
capacities, we are also responding to other global challenges, 
including when disaster strikes and where humanitarian relief is 
needed. Far from our shores, we evacuated thousands from Yemen--
Indians, Americans, and others. Nearer home, we were the first 
responders during Nepal's earthquake, in the Maldives water crisis, 
and, most recently, during the landslide in Sri Lanka.
  We are also one of the largest contributors of troops to U.N. 
peacekeeping operations. Often, India and the U.S. have combined their 
strengths in science, technology, and innovation to help fight hunger, 
poverty, diseases, and illiteracy in different parts of the world. The 
success of our partnership is also opening up new opportunities for 
learning, security, and development from Asia to Africa.
  And the protection of the environment and caring for the planet is 
central to our shared vision of a just world. For us in India, to live 
in harmony with Mother Earth is part of our ancient belief, and to take 
from nature only what is most essential is part of our Indian culture.
  Our partnership, therefore, aims to balance responsibilities with 
capabilities, and it also focuses on new ways to increase the 
availability and use of renewable energy.
  A strong U.S. support for our initiative to form an International 
Solar Alliance is one such effort. We are working together not just for 
a better future for ourselves, but for the whole world. This has also 
been the goal of our efforts in G20, East Asia Summit, and climate 
change summits.
  Mr. Speaker, as we deepen our partnership, there would be times when 
we would have differing perspectives; but since our interests and 
concerns converge, the autonomy in decisionmaking and diversity in our 
perspectives can only add value to our partnership.
  So, as we embark on a new journey and seek new goals, let us focus 
not just on matters routine, but also transformational ideas, ideas 
which can focus not just on creating wealth, but also creating value 
for our societies; not just on immediate gains, but also long-term 
benefits; not just on sharing best practices, but also shaping 
partnerships; and not just on building a bright future for our peoples, 
but in being a bridge to a more united, humane, and prosperous world.
  And important for the success of this journey would be a need to view 
it with new eyes and new sensitivities. When we do this, we will 
realize the full promise of this extraordinary relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, in my final thoughts and words, let me emphasize that 
our relationship is primed for a momentous future. The constraints of 
the past are behind us, and foundations of the future are firmly in 
place.
  In the lines of Walt Whitman: ``The orchestra have sufficiently tuned 
their instruments; the baton has given the signal.'' And to that, if I 
might add, there is a new symphony in play.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, and distinguished 
Members, for this honor.
  Thank you very much.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  At 12 o'clock and 11 minutes p.m., His Excellency Narendra Modi, 
Prime Minister of the Republic of India, accompanied by the committee 
of escort, retired from the Hall of the House of Representatives.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms escorted the invited guests 
from the Chamber in the following order:
  The members of the President's Cabinet;
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

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