amrica parliament pm modi speech

Am deeply honoured by the invitation to address this joint meeting of the US Congress. Thank you Mr Speaker for opening the doors of this magnificent capital. This temple of democracy has encouraged and empowered other democracies the world over. It manifests the spirit of this great nation which is in Abraham Lincoln's words was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.In granting me this opportunity, you have honoured the world's largest democracy and its 1.25 billion people. As a representative of the world's largest democracy, it is indeed a privilege to speak to the leaders of its oldest.HONORING DEMOCRACYMr Speaker, two days ago I began my visit by going to Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of many brave soldiers of this great land. I honour their courage and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and democracy. It was also the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day. On that day, thousands from this great country fought toprotect the torch of liberty. They sacrificed their lives so that the world lives in freedom.I applaud, India applauds the great sacrifices of the men and women from the land of the free and the home of the brave in service of mankind. [PM Modi applauds the Congress with claps]India knows what this means, because our soldiers have fallen in distant battlefields for the same ideals. That is why the threadsof freedom and liberty form a strong bond between our two democracies.Mr Speaker, our nations may have been shaped by diverse histories, cultures and faiths, yet our belief in democracy for our nations and our liberty for our countrymen is common. The idea that all citizens are created equal is the central pillar of the American constitution. Our founding fathers too shared the same belief and sought individual liberty for every citizen of India. There were many who doubted India as a newly independent nation. We reposedour faith in democracy.DEMOCRACY AS ESSENCE OF SOULIndeed, wagers were made on our future. But the people of India did not waiver. Our founders created a modern nation with freedom, democracy and equality as the essence of its soul, and in doing so we theyassured that we continue to celebrate our age old diversity. Today, across its individuals and institutions, and in its villages and cities, in streets and states, are anchored in equal respect for all faiths. And in the melody of hundreds of its languages and dialects, India lives as one, India grows as one, India celebrates as one.Mr Speaker, modern India is in its 70th year.For my government, the constitution is its real holy book. And in that holy book, freedom of faith, speech and franchise, andequality of all citizens, regardless of background are enshrined as fundamental rights.Eight hundred million of my countrymen may exercise the freedom of franchise once every five years, but all the 1.25 billion of our citizens have freedom from fear - a freedom they exercise every moment of their lives.Distinguished members, engagement between our two democracies has been visible in the manner in which our thinkers impacted one another and shaped the course of our societies. Thoreau's idea of civil disobedience influenced our political thoughts and similarly the call by the great sage of India Swami Vivekanand to embrace humanity, was most famously delivered in Chicago. Gandhi's non-violenceinspired the heroism of Martin Luther King.Today, a mere distance of three miles separates Martin Luther King Memorial at Tidal Basin from the statue of Gandhi at Massachusetts Avenue. This proximity of memorials in Washington mirrors the closeness of the ideas and values they believed in. The genius of Dr Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar was nurtured in the years he spent at the Columbia University a century ago. The impact of US constitution on him was reflected in his drafting of the Indian constitution some three decades later.SIMILAR IDEALISMOur independence was ignited by the same idealism that fuelled your struggle for freedom. No wonder then, the former primeminister of India Atal Bihari Vajapyee calledIndia and US natural allies. No wonder that the shared ideals and common philosophy of freedom shaped the bedrock of our ties. No wonder that President Obama has called our partnership - the defining partnership of 21st century.Mr Speaker, more than 15 years ago Prime Minister Vajapayee stood here and gave a call to step out of the shadow of hesitation of the past. The pages of our friendship since then tell a remarkable story. Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. Comfort, candour and convergence define our conversations. Through the cycle of elections and transition of administrations, the intensity of engagements has only grown, and in this exciting journey the US Congress has actedas it compass. You have helped us turn barriers into bridges of partnership.In the Fall of 2008, when the Congress passed the India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, it changed the very colours of leaves of our relationship. We thank you for being there when the partnership needed you the most. You have also stood by us in times of sorrow. India will never forget the solidarity shown by the US Congress when terrorists from across our border attacked Mumbai in November of 2008. And for this, we are grateful.Mr Speaker, I am informed that the working of the US Congress is harmonious. Am alsotold that you are well known for your bipartisanship. Well, you are not alone. Time and again, I have also witnessed a similar spirit in the Indian Parliament, especially in Upper House. So, as you can see, we have many shared practices.EMBRACING PARTNERSHIPMr Speaker, this country knows well that every journey has its pioneers. The genius of Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to my country.The excellence of American universities nurtured institutions of technology and management in India. And I could go on, but fast forward to the present.The embrace of our partnership extend to the totality of human endeavour. From the depths of the oceans to the vastness of space, our science and technology collaboration continues to help us in cracking the age old problems in the fields of education, public health, food and agriculture. Ties of commerce and investment are flourishing. We trade more with the US than with any other nation.The flow of good services and capital between us generates jobs in both our societies. As in trade, so in defence. Indian army performs exercises with the US more than any other partner. Defence purchases have moved from almost zero to $10 billionin less than a decade. Out cooperation alsosecures our cities and citizens from terrorists and protects our critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Civil nuclear cooperation, as I told President Obama yesterday, is a reality.Mr Speaker, our people to people links are strong and there is a close personal connect between our societies. Siri, you arefamiliar with the Siri, tells us that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 millionpractitioners in the US. It is estimated that more Americans bend for Yoga than to throw a curve ball. No Mr Speaker, we have not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga.Connecting our two nations is also a uniqueand dynamic bridge of 3 million Indian Americans. Today, they are among your best CEOs, academics, astronauts, scientists, economists, doctors and even spelling bee champions.They are your strength. They are also the pride of India. They symbolise the best of both of our societies. Mr Speaker, my understanding of great country began long before I entered public office. Long before assuming office, I travelled coast to coast covering more than 25 states of America. I realised then that the real strength of the US was in the dreams of its people and the boldness of their ambitions. Today, Mr Speaker, a similar spirit animates India. Over 800 million youth are especially impatient (sic).AMBITIOUS TO-DO LISTIndia is undergoing a profound social and economic change. A billion of its citizens are politically empowered. My dream is to economically empower them through manysocial an