Top American lawmakers welcome Prime Minister Modi

WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — While reflecting on the new sense of geniality between the governments of the U.S. and India, top American lawmakers Tuesday praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underscored that the bilateral relationship has entered a new phase.

In a showcase of bipartisanship, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Senator John McCain joined together with more than a dozen of the nation’s most powerful lawmakers spoke. Their words were delivered as the prime minister finished his address to the annual gala of the U.S. India Business Council.

Modi later came down from the podium to meet with the lawmakers. He assumed his seat at the center of the table with the assembled group for dinner.

McCain, who said he’s looking forward to Modi’s address of a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, spoke highly of the prime ministers leadership skills and how they played a role in advancing relations between the two nations. Tensions and other challenges in the South Asian region have called for enhanced coordination and cooperation between the U.S. and India.

Welcoming Modi to the U.S., Pelosi said she, California governor Jerry Brown and various executives from around Silicon Valley were left with a profound impact of the prime minister after hearing him speaking during a visit last September. His words amounted to one of the most inspirational speech she’d ever heard, Pelosi said.

Congressman Elliot Engel, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recounted watching Modi speak during an event at Madison Square Garden in 2014. The speech was historic, Engel said. Several of the other lawmakers joined in the critique, referring to Modi’s speech for his energy and charisma.

Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Relationship Committee, said the relationship between the U.S. and India has made some of its biggest strides in the last two years. Royce and his fellow lawmakers initiated the process of inviting Modi to become the fifth sitting Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of Congress, and the first in more than a decade.

Texas Congressman Ted Poe said Modi has set a great example for democracy and leadership. Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the US House of Representatives said he was proud of the prime minister.

Tulsi Gabbard, the first ever Hindu elected to the U.S. Congress, praised Modi’s leadership skills and said his efforts will result in the two nations furthering the strengthening of their defense relationship.