India’s PM Narendra Modi to address US Congress

World
By William

Washington, D.C. – Top lawmakers in the United States have invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Congress when he visits Washington, DC, later this month — a rare opportunity only afforded to the country’s closest allies.

Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives announced the invitation in a letter to Modi on Friday, saying the June 22 speech would celebrate “enduring friendship” between the two countries.

“Based on our shared values ​​and commitment to global peace and prosperity, the partnership between our two countries continues to grow,” the letter said.

“During your speech, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India’s future and speak about the global challenges facing our countries.”

This will be Modi’s second time addressing a joint session of Congress, having addressed US lawmakers in 2016.

Modi’s visit to the US comes at a time when competition between Washington and Beijing is intensifying, as India – now the world’s largest country by population – has become a major geopolitical and economic power.

US officials regularly tout New Delhi as a key ally in the Asia-Pacific region, where Beijing’s policies — including claims to the South China Sea — are drawing increasing criticism from Washington.

The White House announced Modi’s trip last month, saying President Joe Biden will host him to “affirm the deep and close cooperation” between the two nations.

“The visit will reinforce our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared determination to enhance our strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy and space,” it said. in a rack on May 10.

The Biden administration has deepened ties with India in recent years; It strengthened the so-called Quad alliance, which also includes Australia and Japan, and created a formal partnership with the South Asian country, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, called I2U2.

But Modi’s critics in the US have called on Washington to do more to confront his nationalist policies, which they say harm minorities in India, particularly Muslims.

A State Department report on religious freedom last month noted allegations of “violence by law enforcement agencies against members of religious minorities in multiple states,” including flogging of Muslim men and vandalism of Muslim homes and shops in India.

“We will continue to speak directly with our colleagues and counterparts in India about these concerns,” a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity before the report was released.

“We continue to encourage the government to condemn and hold to account violence… all groups that engage in rhetoric that is inhumane towards religious minorities and all groups that engage in violence against religious communities.”

India has rejected US allegations of religious freedom violations.

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group, expressed disappointment last month at calls for Modi to address Congress.

Failing to notice Modi’s violent, anti-minority, authoritarian tendencies and his corrupt mismanagement of the Indian economy is not only ignoring the US government’s own findings, but also a strategic blunder that could jeopardize global stability. bring,” the group said. in a statement.

Modi has also faced criticism over allegations of a crackdown on domestic political opponents.

Earlier this year, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was ousted from the country’s parliament after being convicted of defamation in Modi’s home state of Gujarat in connection with a comment in the 2019 campaign trail that was seen as an insult to the prime minister.

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