WASHINGTON, DC (Diya TV) – It was a full day in Washington, where the US-India relationship was celebrated in the White House and Congress. Thousands of Indian Americans woke up bright and early and braved a blustery day to witness the State Visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi. After the ceremony, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi engaged in bilateral talks with their top cabinet members.
After the talks, Biden and Modi held a brief press conference that took the issue of human rights head on. More than 70 Democratic lawmakers issued a letter to Biden that criticized Indian Democracy and the treatment of minorities in India. When asked directly, Modi said “there is no place for discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, gender, religion.”
From there, Prime Minister Modi gave a speech to both houses of Congress, one that was cheered on by his fellow political leaders and his Indian American supporters. From remembering Congressman John Lewis, emphasizing the shared US-India interest in defense, even reciting poetry, Modi struck a visible chord with even his critics like Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
It was a historic day from top to bottom that ended with a State dinner full of luminaries interested in furthering the US-India partnership.
