Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Congress Wednesday that an even stronger U.S.-India relationship could help both countries fight terrorism and improve security in the region and around the world.
More cooperation on fighting cybersecurity and terrorism, Modi said, can help “anchor peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa and from [the] Indian Ocean to the Pacific.”
“Those who believe in humanity must come together to fight for it as one, and speak against this menace with one voice — terrorism must be delegitimized,” he said in an address to a joint session of Congress. “The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation.”
Modi also alluded to the growing threat of China’s dominance by advocating that a strong India-U.S. partnership could “help ensure security of the sea lanes of commerce and freedom of navigation on seas.”
The U.S. views India as a counterweight China’s influence in the region, and Modi said his country is already helping to ensure security in the Indian Ocean where Beijing has stepped up its submarine presence.
Shifting gears to tout the U.S-India trade relationship, he said his country is poised to become an even greater partner with its economy growing at a rapid clip.
“As U.S. businesses search for new areas of economic growth, markets for their goods, a pool of skilled resources and global locations to produce and manufacture, India could be their ideal partner,” he said.
“India’s strong economy, and growth rate of 7.7 percent per annum, is creating new opportunities for our mutual prosperity,” he said.
