Washington, 24th June 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hour-long address to the US Congress drew multiple standing ovations, applauses, and shouts from American lawmakers, as well as cries of ‘Modi, Modi’ from diaspora community members seated in the majestic House Chamber of the US Capitol.
This comes as PM Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. In 2016, he delivered his first speech to a joint session of the United States Congress.
PM Modi was greeted with a standing ovation when he entered the House Chamber and approached the stage to give his address. He was greeted with a standing ovation as soon as he entered the chamber, and his speech also saw about 15 standing ovations from US lawmakers.
He talked about the millions of people with their roots in India. He pointed towards US Vice President Kamala Harris, who also hails from an Indian background, adding that she has made history.
Some parts of Modi’s speech attracted lighthearted chuckles from lawmakers, with one remarking, “In all of this, Indian Americans have played a big role.” They are exceptional in all areas, not just the Spelling Bee.”
It was an allusion to the popular spelling bee in America, dominated by Indian-American youth year after year. Dev Shah, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee again this year.
A long-standing ovation and applause from lawmakers and members of the Indian-American community followed Modi’s speech.
