Prime Minister’s address to the joint session of the American Congress can be termed as comprehensive as well as incisive. It covered a wide range of subjects not only related to bilateral relations but also with the sensitivities of the century marked by extraordinary development in science, technology, human innovative potential and the compulsions of growing economic activity on global level.
In between very serious and crucial themes of international and bilateral relations, the Prime Minister did not hesitate to poke fun at the often raucous nature of Indian and American parliamentary debates. The major theme was terrorism which he said is being “incubated in India’s neighbourhood”. Prime Minister’s frontal attack on those who use terrorism as an instrument of political expediency is perhaps the forthright assertion of India that the world needs to raise one voice against terrorism. Identifying terrorism the greatest threat that contemporary human kind is faced with, Modi asserted that the US had shown the way that it would not compromise with the shades and manifestations of terrorism. He made no bones in saying that terrorism had expanded over a vast region from Asian lands to African lands and it needed to be contained through global effort. With Pakistan obviously in mind, Modi pressed for action without making any distinction against groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Taliban and ISIS who share the “same philosophy of hate, murder and killings”. He said terrorism has to be fought with “one voice” as he commended the American Parliament for sending out a clear message by refusing to “reward” those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains, an apparent reference to the blocking of sale of 8 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan
This is not the first time that Prime Minister Modi has come out openly in meeting the biggest challenge through united efforts. Obviously, he is aware that some countries are trying to adopt softening and pacifying attitude toward a scourge by drawing a line between the good and the bad terrorists. He made it clear that there existed no dividing line between the two and at the same time the line did certainly divide terrorism from religion.
During his 45 minute speech before the Congress, Prime Minister was given rousing ovation as the members of the House cheered him no fewer than 40 times. PM also touched on a number of facets of the India-US relationship and highlighted the role of the US in contributing to make them stronger. Invoking some of the biggest icons of US politics – the founding fathers, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jar among others – he linked the US experience with democracy with India’s own journey as a modern nation state.
In his speech, he covered all major aspects of the growing relationship between India and the US, particularly strategic ties and civil nuclear cooperation, and emphasised that the two countries should leave “constraints of the past” behind as the “foundations of the future are firmly in place”.
Observing that India-US “relationship is primed for a momentous future”, the Prime Minister said a strong partnership between the two countries can anchor peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa and from Indian Ocean to the Pacific. Some commentators interpret this comment with reference to Chinese ambitions in the Indian Ocean.
Modi did not fail to pitch apparently for the UN reform obliquely remarking that the effectiveness of our cooperation would increase if international institutions, framed with the mindset of the 20th century, were to reflect the realities of today. It will be reminded that the US has already expressed her support to India’s membership of the Security Council. Globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat and it must be fought at many levels as the traditional tools of military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to defeat it.
Some observers may think that Modi has been a little more optimistic about Indo-US relations than what is warranted by the ground situation. However, it has to be noted that there are some in the US Congress whose opinion about India’s observance of human rights and religious tolerance has been somehow vitiated by partisan reporters. That was the reason why Modi clearly and forcefully explained how India was committed to the Constitution which reflected the wisdom and age-old philosophy of our constitutional fathers in upholding secular philosophy for the great Indian nation. It was unfortunate that some are inclined to look at India’s incredible religious freedom from myopic sight just because they want to poke holes into India’s pocket. In overall estimation PM’s address will go down as a historical movement in which India profiled herself as a major factor in world politics, strategy, economics, and social freedom and human rights. This all notwithstanding, we would like to conclude with a note of caution that the eternal political truth is that there are no permanent friends nor permanent foes but only permanent interests. India should not be swayed by emotions and adulations but accept the harsh reality of real-politik.
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