US lawmakers wants to honour Narendra Modi with address to Congress

Washington, 21 June, 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, once denied a visa to enter the United States over massacres of Muslims, is expected to receive the honour of addressing a joint session of the US Congress during a visit to Washington in September.

California Republican Ed Royce, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to US Congress House Speaker John Boehner on Friday and asked that he invite Modi to address a joint session of the House and Senate during his September visit. The letter was also signed by North Carolina Republican Representative George Holding.

“In every aspect — whether it be in political, economic or security relations — the United States has no more important partner in South Asia.It is not an overstatement to say that the US-India relationship will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.” the letter said.

Boehner’s office did not immediately announce a response to the letter. Reuters reports that Congressional aides said they expected an invitation would be issued to the Indian leader.