Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to receive the honour of addressing a joint session of the US Congress during a visit to Washington in September.
The initiative started with Ed Royce, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, writing to House Speaker John Boehner asking that he invite Modi to address a joint session of the House and Senate during his trip.
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“In every aspect – whether it be in political, economic or security relations – the United States has no more important partner in South Asia,” the letter said. “It is not an overstatement to say that the US-India relationship will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”
The US, which sees India as a natural ally and potential counterbalance to China in Asia, is eager to expand business and security cooperation with the Modi government.
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The invitation to address joint meetings of Congress by foreign heads of states and heads of government has been in vogue since the early 1800s, normally to underscore their countries’ close allegiance with the US. Â
In 2005, the Bush administration had denied Modi a visa under a 1998 US law barring entry to foreigners.
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