This will be Prime Minister Modi's second address to a joint meeting of the US Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation to address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress during his forthcoming visit on June 22, 2023, in a move that underscores the importance of the India-US partnership. The address is an important opportunity for Prime Minister Modi to further strengthen the ties between the two nations, which are built upon shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and an unwavering commitment to global peace and prosperity.

Prime Minister Modi will embark on an official state visit to the United States of America, which will include a state dinner on June 22, following an invitation from President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

In a tweet on Tuesday (June 6, 2023), Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries for the invitation to address the Congress.

"Thank you for the gracious invitation. I am honoured to accept and look forward to once again address a Joint Meeting of the Congress. We are proud of our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US, built upon the foundation of shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and an unwavering commitment to global peace and prosperity" he wrote.

The invitation highlights the importance of the India-US partnership and the shared values between the two nations. It emphasizes the significance of Prime Minister Modi's visit and the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

This will be Prime Minister Modi's second address to a joint meeting of the US Congress, with the first taking place in 2016.

In his 2016 address to the US Congress, Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep honour at being invited to speak. He thanked the Speaker for opening the doors of the Capitol, describing it as a "temple of democracy" that has encouraged and empowered democracies worldwide. Modi invoked Abraham Lincoln's words, stating that the United States was "conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." The speech underscored the importance of the India-US partnership and the shared democratic values that bind the two nations together.

According to an MEA press release issued on May 10, 2023, the visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the United States as the two nations collaborate across numerous sectors.

"The leaders will have the opportunity to review strong bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, including technology, trade, industry, education, research, clean energy, defense, security, healthcare, and deepening people-to-people connections," the MEA noted.

Prime Minister Modi and President Biden will also explore ways to strengthen India-US collaboration in pluri-lateral and multilateral fora, including in the G20. They would reflect on their shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and discuss opportunities to expand and consolidate the Quad engagement, the MEA said in its press release.

"This historic visit offers a valuable opportunity for India and the US to further deepen a comprehensive and forward-looking global strategic partnership" the MEA pointed out.

The visit comes in the context of recent meetings between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, including the Quad Leaders' Meeting, which focused on strengthening cooperation among the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, the strengthening of the India-US partnership is crucial for promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity. Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to the US and his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress will serve as an important platform to further enhance the ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to democratic values.