Modi praises US ties in address to Congress during visit

India's Prime Minister receives rousing welcome from members of US Congress

Mr Modi addressed a packed chamber. Bloomberg

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave an hour-long address to Congress on Thursday, hailing US-India friendship as well as democracy and diversity.

Members of Congress lined the aisles to cheer and shake hands with the Prime Minister, with some even chanting his name as he walked towards the podium.

“I agree with President [Joe] Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century,” Mr Modi told the joint session of Congress.

“Because it serves a larger purpose. Democracy, demography and destiny give us that purpose.

“The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people.

“Throughout your history, you embraced people from around the world and you have made them equal partners in the American dream.”

He gave a nod to Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother is Indian.

“There are millions here – you have groups from India, some of them sit proudly in this chamber and there is one behind me,” he said, indicating Ms Harris.

Mr Narendra arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a state visit that has featured major defence and technology deals, as the US aims to foster relations with New Delhi as a counterweight to China's expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Biden administration officials say welcoming Mr Modi, the leader of the conservative Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is vital to US interests.

Washington is hoping to steer India away from ties with Russia, which includes purchasing crude oil that Moscow has been using to help fund its war in Ukraine.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol. AFP

“The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Modi said.

“We share a vision of a free open and inclusive Indo Pacific.”

His speech was met with a standing ovation.

But Muslim-American rights groups and several progressive US politicians have blasted the Biden administration's willingness to overlook Mr Modi's record on human rights in India, the world's most populous country.

Earlier on Thursday, during a joint news conference with Mr Biden, he was pressed by a reporter over his party's treatment of minorities – a rare occurrence for Mr Modi, who has avoided open questions and unscripted situations.

“In India's democratic values, there's absolutely no discrimination, neither on the basis of caste, creed or age or any kind of geographic location,” he said.

“There is absolutely no space for discrimination.”

Mr Modi's two-day official US visit includes a formal White House reception on Thursday evening, when he will be treated to a vegetarian state dinner.

Narendra Modi visits the US - in pictures

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at a lunch held in his honor hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department. Reuters

In a toast, Ms. Harris spoke of her Indian-born late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who came to the United States at age 19 and became a leading breast cancer researcher. AP Photo

US President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Mr. Modi and American and Indian business leaders in the East Room of the White House. From left, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Mr. Modi, Mr. Biden, and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. AP Photo

Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut, left, listens as Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, right, speaks during the meeting. AP Photo

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, is also present. AP Photo

President Joe Biden talks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a state dinner at the White House in Washington. AP

Doug Emhoff, US second gentleman, third left, attends the official state dinner. AFP

Mr Biden, Mr Modi and first lady Jill Biden at the Grand Staircase of the White House. EPA

The Bidens and Mr Modi arrive for a state dinner. AP

Mr Modi addresses a joint session of the US Congress. AP

Mr Modi speaks to the Congress. AFP

Mr Modi speaks to a joint session of the US Congress. AP

Mr Biden and Mr Modi speak during a joint press conferences in the East Room of the White House in Washington. AFP

Mr Modi and Mr Biden are expected to announce a series of defence and commercial deals designed to improve military and economic ties. Bloomberg

Mr Biden speaks at the news conference at the White House. Bloomberg

Mr Biden and Mr Modi speak in the Oval Office of the White House. EPA

Mr Biden walks with Mr Modi at the White House during the Indian Prime Minister's official visit to Washington. Reuters

Mr Modi is welcomed to the White House. EPA

Mr Biden, first lady Jill Biden and Mr Modi attend an official state arrival ceremony at the White House. Reuters

Mr Modi speaks from the South Lawn. He is in the US on a four-day state visit. AP

Mr Modi and Mr Biden watch a performance by the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. AP

Mr Modi has said ties between the countries are 'one of the defining relationships of the 21st century'. AP

Mr Biden greets Mr Modi in Washington. AP

Indian Americans gather for the visit. AP

US Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second left, were among the senior officials at the event. Reuters

Mr Biden and Mr Modi exchange gifts at the White House. Reuters

A child raises a homemade poster in front of the UN headquarters in New York to welcome Mr Modi. AFP

People gather near UN headquarters to welcome Mr Modi. AP

Mr Modi attends a yoga event on the International Day of Yoga, hosted at the UN. AFP

Mr Modi, seen on screen, leads a yoga session. AFP

Mr Modi waves to the crowd after participating in a yoga class. EPA

Mr Modi gestures to participants as he arrives at the ninth International Day of Yoga event. Reuters

Mr Modi shakes hand with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk during their meeting in New York. Reuters

Mr Modi greets supporters as he arrives in New York. AP

Supporters dance ahead of the arrival of Mr Modi in New York. Reuters

The flags of India and the US adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. AP