BackPM Modi in US: From Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh, here are other leaders who addressed US Congress in the past
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a Joint Meeting of the United States Congress on 22 June during his state visit to the US. During the speech, Modi will share his vision of India's future and speak on the global challenges facing the two countries.
PremiumPrime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing a Joint Meeting of the United States Congress on June 22 during his state visit to the country. During his address, the Prime Minister will share his vision of India's future and speak on the global challenges facing the two countries, top congressional leaders told news agency ANI.
President Joe Biden will host Prime Minister Modi for an Official State visit to the US, which will include a state dinner, on June 22. This will not be the first time PM Modi will be addressing the US congress. Earlier in 2016, he had addressed the US Congress making him the sixth Indian prime minister to address a joint meeting of the US Congress. With his upcoming address, he will become seventh and the 1st prime minister to address the joint meeting twice. He addressed the US Congress during his visit to the US in June 2016.
Prior to PM Modi, five former Indian Prime Ministers had addressed the address a joint meeting of the US Congress. In 1949, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (1949), Rajiv Gandhi (July 13, 1985), P V Narasimha Rao (May 18, 1994), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (September 14, 2000), Manmohan Singh (July 19, 2005), PM Modi
(2016).
The Prime Minister, during his address in 2016 had spoken on issues ranging from climate change to terrorism, defence and security cooperation to trade and economic relationship between India and the US.
In a statement, the congressional leaders in a statement said, “On behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, it is our honour to invite you (Prime Minister Modi) to address a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday, June 22."
The statement was signed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and South African President Nelson Mandela are some of the world leaders to be accorded this rare honour on two occasions.
Coming back to the statement, the congressional leaders said, "Based on our shared values and commitment to global peace and prosperity, the partnership between our two countries continues to grow. During your address, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India's future and speak to the global challenges our countries both face."
“Your historic address to a Joint Meeting of the Congress seven years ago left a lasting impact and greatly deepened the friendship between the US and India," according to the statement.
"As you said in that address: '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.' We look forward to paving the way for greater collaboration between our countries in the years to come," it said.
“Once again, we would be honoured to have you join us for a Joint Meeting of Congress to celebrate the enduring friendship between the US and India. We look forward to continuing to work together to build a brighter future for our countries and for the world," it added.
(With inputs from agecnies)
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