'PM of 1.5 billion people deserves respect everywhere': Congress leader says he's 'proud' of reception given to Modi
1 min read 03 Jun 2023, 04:28 PM ISTCongress leader Sam Pitroda says he is proud of the reception given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his US visit, but clarifies it is because he represents India and not just the BJP.
PremiumAs Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US approaches, Congress leader Sam Pitroda has said that he is ‘proud’ of the reception given to the senior leader. The Indian Overseas Congress chief however asserted that the PM was ‘getting reception’ because he represented 1.5 billion Indians and 'not because he's BJP’s prime minister'.
'…someone told me that, the Indian Prime Minister is getting a lot of reception. And I said I'm happy about it because, at the end of the day, he's also my prime minister. But let's not make a mistake. He's getting reception because he's India's prime minister. And not because he's BJP’s prime minister. Separate these two things," Pitroda told PTI.
“A prime minister of a nation of 1.5 billion people deserves respect everywhere. And I'm proud of it. I'm not negative about it," he added.
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The Congress leader is currently accompanying former party chief Rahul Gandhi on his three-city six-day US tour. According to Pitroda, the trip is aimed at promoting shared values and vision of "real democracy".
Meanwhile Modi is slated to visit the western nation later this month and will also address a joint meeting of the US Congress on June 22. This will be his first ‘state visit’ to the US since assuming office in 2014. The PM's previous trips to the US - during the tenure of Barack Obama and Donald Trump - had not been classified as such.
"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," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to Modi.
The speech would be Modi's second to a joint meeting of the US legislature, a rare honor for a leader once denied a visa to enter the United States over human rights concerns.
(With inputs from agencies)
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