Washington

In June, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will become the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of Congress in America.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) today invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to address a joint meeting of Congress when he visits Washington this summer.

Speaker Ryan made the announcement at his weekly press conference. This will be the first joint meeting of his speakership.

“The friendship between the United States and India is a pillar of stability in an important region of the world,” Ryan said. “This address presents a special opportunity to hear from the elected leader of the world’s most populous democracy on how our two nations can work together to promote our shared values and to increase prosperity. We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the United States Capitol.”

Modi will be the fifth prime minister of India to address a joint meeting of Congress, and the first since 2005. The tradition of foreign leaders and dignitaries addressing Congress began with the Marquis de Lafayette of France, who spoke in the House chamber on December 10, 1824.