Leaders from each main US political events say speech will probably be alternative to talk to shared ‘global challenges’.

Washington, DC – Top lawmakers within the United States have invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to handle Congress when he visits Washington, DC later this month – a uncommon alternative granted solely to the nation’s closest allies.

Democratic and Republican leaders within the Senate and House of Representatives introduced the invitation in a letter to Modi on Friday, saying that the speech on June 22 would have fun the “enduring friendship” between the 2 nations.

“Based on our shared values and commitment to global peace and prosperity, the partnership between our two countries continues to grow,” the letter acknowledged.

“During your address, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India’s future and speak to the global challenges our countries both face.”

This would be the second time Modi addresses a joint session of Congress, after he delivered a speech to US lawmakers in 2016.

It is my honor to ask @PMOIndia@narendramodi to handle a Joint Meeting of Congress on Thursday, June twenty second.

This will probably be a possibility to have fun the enduring friendship between the United States and India and converse to the worldwide challenges our nations each face. pic.twitter.com/gu68UjJltG

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 2, 2023

Modi’s go to to the US comes amid intensifying competitors between Washington and Beijing, and as India – now the largest country on the planet by inhabitants – has change into a serious geopolitical and financial energy.

US officers frequently reward New Delhi as an vital ally within the Asia-Pacific area, the place Beijing’s insurance policies – together with claims to the South China Sea – have more and more drawn criticism from Washington.

The White House introduced Modi’s journey final month, saying that President Joe Biden will host him to “affirm the deep and close partnership” between the 2 nations.

“The visit will strengthen our two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy, and space,” it mentioned in a statement on May 10.

The Biden administration has deepened ties with India in recent times; It strengthened the so-called Quad alliance, which additionally consists of Australia and Japan, and created a proper partnership with the South Asian nation, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, dubbed I2U2.

But Modi’s critics within the US have known as on Washington to do extra to confront his nationalist policies, which they’ve mentioned hurt minorities in India, notably Muslims.

A Department of State report on religious freedom final month famous allegations of “violence by law enforcement authorities against members of religious minorities in multiple states”, together with the flogging of Muslim males and demolitions of Muslim-owned properties and retailers in India.

“We’ll continue to speak directly with our colleagues and counterparts in India regarding these concerns,” a senior US official informed reporters on situation of anonymity earlier than the discharge of the report.

“We’re continuing to encourage the government to condemn violence and hold accountable … all groups who engage in rhetoric that’s dehumanising towards religious minorities and all groups who engage in violence against religious communities.”

India has rejected US accusations of non secular freedom violations.

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group, final month voiced disappointment over the requires Modi to handle Congress.

“To fail to note Modi’s violent, anti-minority, authoritarian tendencies, and his corrupt mismanagement of the Indian economy, is not only to ignore the US government’s own findings but a strategic blunder with the potential to jeopardize global stability,” the group mentioned in an announcement.

Modi additionally has confronted criticism over accusations of a crackdown on home political opponents.

Earlier this yr, opposition determine Rahul Gandhi was expelled from the nation’s parliament after he was convicted of defamation in Modi’s dwelling state of Gujarat in relation to a 2019 marketing campaign path comment seen as an insult to the prime minister.