在美国国会发言总是非常荣幸。能够两次这样更是一种超乎一般的特许。对于这一荣誉，我代表14亿印度人民表示最深切的谢意。我看到你们中的近一半人在2016年就在这里。我感受到你们作为老朋友的热情。我也能在另一半人身上看到新友谊的热情。我记得哈里-里德参议员、约翰-麦凯恩参议员、奥林-哈奇参议员、伊利亚-卡明斯、阿尔西-黑斯廷斯和其他人，我2016年在这里遇到他们，遗憾的是他们已经不在我们身边。
议长先生，
七年前的六月，也就是汉密尔顿横扫所有奖项的那个六月，我站在这里说，历史的犹豫已经过去了。现在，当我们的时代处于一个十字路口时，我在这里谈论我们对这个世纪的召唤。通过我们所走过的漫长而曲折的道路，我们经受了友谊的考验。自从我七年前来到这里的夏天，很多事情都发生了变化。但有很多东西没有改变--比如我们对加深印度和美国之间友谊的承诺。在过去的几年里，AI--人工智能方面取得了许多进展。同时，在另一个AI--美国和印度--方面也有了更大的发展。
议长先生和尊敬的成员，
民主的魅力在于不断与人民联系，倾听他们的声音，感受他们的脉搏。而且，我知道这需要大量的时间、精力、努力和旅行。今天是星期四下午--对你们中的一些人来说是飞出回家的日子。因此，我很感谢你们的时间。我也知道你们在过去的一个月里有多忙。
作为一个充满活力的民主国家的公民，我感同身受的一件事是，议长先生--你的工作很艰巨！我可以体会到你的战斗力！我可以体会到激情、说服和政策的争斗。我可以理解思想和意识形态的辩论。但我很高兴看到你们今天聚在一起，庆祝世界上两个伟大的民主国家--印度和美国之间的联系。只要你们需要两党达成强有力的共识，我很乐意提供帮助。在民主国家里有--而且必须有--思想的竞赛。但是，当我们要为我们国家说话时，我们也必须作为一个整体走到一起。而且，你们已经表明，你们可以做到这一点。祝贺您!
议长先生，
美国的根基是由一个人民平等的国家愿景激发的。纵观你们的历史，你们已经接纳了来自世界各地的人。而且，你们让他们成为美国梦中的平等伙伴。这里有数百万人，他们的根在印度。他们中的一些人自豪地坐在这个会议室里。在我身后就有这样的一个人，她创造了历史！我被告知，萨莫萨核心小组（一个印度籍议员组成的小组）现在是众议院的味道。我希望它能发展壮大，把印度美食的全部多样性带到这里。两个多世纪以来，我们通过伟大的美国人和印度人的生活相互启发。我们向圣雄甘地和小马丁-路德-金表示敬意。我们也缅怀其他许多为自由、平等和正义而努力的人。今天，我也希望向他们中的一位--国会议员约翰-刘易斯表示衷心的敬意。
民主是我们神圣的共同价值观之一。它经历了漫长的演变，并采取了各种形式和制度。然而，纵观历史，有一点是明确的。
民主是支持平等和尊严的精神。
民主是欢迎辩论和讨论的理念。
民主是为思想和表达插上翅膀的文化。
印度有幸自古以来就拥有这样的价值观。
在民主精神的演变中，印度是民主之母。
几千年前，我们最古老的经文就说过、
'एकम् सत् ♦प्रा बहुधा ♦दन्ति'。
它的意思是--真理是一个，但智者以不同的方式表达它。
现在，美国是最古老的，而印度是最大的民主国家。
我们的伙伴关系对民主的未来是个好兆头。
我们将共同给世界一个更好的未来，给未来一个更好的世界。
议长先生，
去年，印度庆祝其独立75周年。每个里程碑都很重要，但这个里程碑很特别。在经历了一千年这种或那种形式的外国统治之后，我们庆祝了超过75年的非凡自由之旅。这不仅是对民主的庆祝，也是对多样性的庆祝。这不仅仅是对宪法的庆祝，也是对其社会赋权精神的庆祝。这不仅是对我们竞争和合作的联邦制的庆祝，也是对我们基本团结和完整的庆祝。
我们有超过两千五百个政党。是的，你没听错--两千五百个。大约有20个不同的政党管理着印度的各个邦。我们有二十二种官方语言和数千种方言，然而，我们用一个声音说话。每隔一百英里，我们的菜肴就会发生变化。从Dosa到Aloo Prantha，从Srikhand到Sandesh。我们享受所有这些。我们是世界上所有信仰的家园，我们庆祝所有这些信仰。在印度，多样性是一种自然的生活方式。
今天，全世界都想越来越多地了解印度。我在这个议院也看到了这种好奇心。在过去十年中，我们很荣幸地在印度接待了一百多位美国国会议员。每个人都想了解印度的发展、民主和多样性。每个人都想知道印度做对了什么以及如何做。在亲密的朋友中，我很高兴能分享这些。
议长先生，
当我第一次作为总理访问美国时，印度是世界上第十大经济体。今天，印度是第五大经济体。而且，印度很快将成为第三大经济体。我们不仅在增长，而且还在加速增长。当印度增长时，整个世界都在增长。毕竟，我们是世界人口的六分之一 在上个世纪，当印度赢得自由时，它激励了许多其他国家从殖民统治中解放出来。在本世纪，当印度树立起增长的基准时，它将激励许多其他国家也这样做。我们的愿景是：बका सथ, सबका थ, सबका थ, सबका प्रयास。这意味着： 在大家的信任和大家的努力下，一起为大家的成长而努力。
让我与你们分享这一愿景是以什么样的速度和规模转化为行动的。我们正专注于基础设施的发展。我们已经提供了近四千万套住房，为超过一亿五千万人提供住所。这几乎是澳大利亚人口的六倍！我们实施了一项国家健康保险计划，确保为大约5亿人提供免费医疗服务。这比南美洲的人口还要多。我们通过世界上最大的金融普惠运动将银行业务带给没有银行的人。有近五亿人受益。这接近于北美的人口！我们致力于建设数字印度！我们一直在努力建设数字印度。今天，我国有超过8.5亿的智能手机和互联网用户。这比欧洲的人口还要多! 我们用22亿剂印度制造的COVID疫苗保护了我们的人民，而且还是免费的！我这些比喻可能很快就会说完所有的大陆，所以我在这里停止!
尊敬的各位委员，
《吠陀经》是世界上最古老的经书之一。它是人类的伟大财富，是几千年前创作的。当年，女圣人在《吠陀》中创作了许多诗篇。而今天，在现代印度，妇女正在引领我们走向更美好的未来。印度的愿景不仅仅是使妇女受益的发展。它是由妇女领导的发展，由妇女领导进步的旅程。有一位妇女从一个卑微的部落背景中崛起，成为我们的国家元首。
近150万名当选妇女在各级领导我们，这还是地方政府。今天，妇女在陆军、海军和空军中为我们国家服务。印度还拥有世界上最高比例的女性航空公司飞行员。而且，我们的火星任务也是妇女领导，将我们送上火星。我相信，对女童的投资会提升整个家庭的地位。赋予妇女权力，改变了国家。
发言人先生，
印度是一个古老的国家，拥有年轻的人口。印度以其传统而闻名。但年轻一代也正在使其成为技术的中心。无论是Instagram上的创意卷轴还是实时支付，编码还是量子计算，机器学习还是移动应用，金融科技还是数据科学，印度的年轻人都是一个社会如何拥抱最新技术的典范。在印度，技术不仅是创新，也是包容。今天，数字平台正在赋予人们的权利和尊严，同时保护隐私。
在过去的九年里，超过10亿人得到了与他们的银行账户和手机相连的独特的数字生物识别身份。这种数字公共基础设施帮助我们在几秒钟内向公民提供财政援助。有8.5亿人收到了直接进入他们账户的福利资金转移。每年有三次，超过一亿的农民通过点击按钮在他们的银行账户中收到援助。这种转账的价值已经超过了三千二百亿美元，我们在这个过程中节省了超过二百五十亿美元。如果你访问印度，你会看到每个人都在使用手机进行支付，包括街头小贩。
去年，世界上每100次实时数字支付中，有46次发生在印度。近40万英里的光缆和廉价的数据迎来了一场机会的革命。农民查看天气更新，老人获得社会保障金，学生获得奖学金，医生提供远程医疗，渔民查看渔场，小企业获得贷款，只需轻点手机。
议长先生，
民主、包容和可持续性的精神决定了我们。它也塑造了我们对世界的看法。印度在发展的同时对我们的地球负责。
我们相信：
माता भूमि: पुत्ो अहं पृथिव्या：
这意味着--"地球是我们的母亲，我们是她的孩子"。
印度文化非常尊重环境和我们的星球。在成为增长最快的经济体的同时，我们的太阳能发电量增长了两千三百%! 是的，你没听错--两千三百%！我们的太阳能容量增加了两千三百%！
我们成为20国集团中唯一一个履行其巴黎承诺的国家。我们使可再生能源占我们能源的百分之四十以上，比2030年的目标提前了九年。但我们并没有就此止步。在格拉斯哥峰会上，我提出了Mission LiFE--环保的生活方式。这是一种使可持续性成为真正的人民运动的方式。而不是让它仅仅成为政府的工作。
通过有意识地做出选择，每个人都可以产生积极的影响。使可持续发展成为一场群众运动将帮助世界更快地达到净零目标。我们的愿景是支持地球的进步。我们的愿景是支持地球的繁荣。我们的愿景是支持地球上的人。
发言人先生，
我们的座右铭是：वसुधैव कुुंबकम或The World is One Family。我们与世界的交往是为了大家的利益。一个太阳，一个世界，一个电网 "试图让我们大家一起用清洁能源连接世界。"一个地球，一个健康 "是一个全球行动的愿景，为每个人，包括动物和植物带来高质量的医疗保健。
同样的精神也体现在我们主持G20会议时的主题中--"一个地球，一个家庭，一个未来"。我们也通过瑜伽推进团结的精神。就在昨天，全世界都在一起庆祝国际瑜伽日。就在上周，所有国家都加入了我们在联合国的提议，建立一个纪念墙以纪念维和人员。
今年，全世界都在庆祝国际小米年，以促进可持续农业和营养。在疫情期间，我们向一百五十多个国家提供了疫苗和药品。在灾难期间，我们作为第一反应者向他人伸出援手，就像我们为自己人做的那样。我们与那些最需要资源的人分享我们微薄的资源。我们建立能力，而不是依赖性。
议长先生，
当我谈到印度对世界的态度时，美国占据了一个特殊的位置。我知道我们的关系对你们所有人都非常重要。本届国会的每一位议员都对它有着深厚的兴趣。当印度的国防和航空航天业增长时，华盛顿州、亚利桑那州、佐治亚州、阿拉巴马州、南卡罗来纳州和宾夕法尼亚州的工业就会蓬勃发展。当美国公司增长时，他们在印度的研究和开发中心也会蓬勃发展。当印度人飞得更多时，一份飞机订单就会在美国的44个州创造超过一百万个就业机会。
当一个美国手机制造商在印度投资时，它在两国都创造了整个生态系统的工作和机会。当印度和美国在半导体和关键矿物方面合作时，它帮助世界使供应链更加多样化、有弹性和可靠。事实上，议长先生，在世纪之交，我们在国防合作方面是陌生的。现在，美国已经成为我们最重要的国防伙伴之一。今天，印度和美国正在合作，在太空和海洋，在科学和半导体，在创业和可持续发展，在科技和贸易，在农业和金融，在艺术和人工智能，在能源和教育，在医疗保健和人道主义努力。
我可以继续说下去。但是，总结起来，我想说、
我们的合作范围是无止境的、
我们的协同作用的潜力是无限的、
而且，我们关系中的化学反应是毫不费力的。
在这一切中，美籍印度人发挥了很大作用。他们在各个领域都很出色，不仅仅是在拼写比赛中。凭借他们的心灵和思想、才能和技能，以及对美国和印度的热爱，他们将我们联系在一起；他们打开了大门；他们展示了我们伙伴关系的潜力。
议长先生，尊敬的各位议员，
过去的每一位印度总理和美国总统都使我们的关系更进一步。但我们这一代人有幸将它带到了更高的高度。我同意拜登总统的观点，即这是本世纪的一个决定性伙伴关系。因为它服务于一个更大的目的。民主、人口和命运给了我们这个目的。全球化的一个后果是供应链的过度集中。
我们将共同努力，使供应链多样化、分散化和民主化。技术将决定二十一世纪的安全、繁荣和领导地位。这就是为什么我们两国建立了一个新的 "关键和新兴技术倡议"。我们的知识伙伴关系将为人类服务，为气候变化、饥饿和健康等全球挑战寻求解决方案。
议长先生和尊敬的议员们，
在过去的几年里，出现了深刻的破坏性发展。随着乌克兰冲突的发生，战争重新回到了欧洲。它正在给该地区带来巨大的痛苦。由于它涉及大国，其结果是严重的。全球南方的国家受到的影响尤其大。全球秩序的基础是尊重《联合国宪章》的原则，和平解决争端，以及尊重主权和领土完整。
正如我直接和公开地说，这不是一个战争的时代。它是一个对话和外交的时代。而且，我们都必须尽我们所能来阻止流血和人类的痛苦。议长先生，胁迫和对抗的乌云正在印度-太平洋地区投下阴影。该地区的稳定已成为我们伙伴关系的核心关切之一。
我们有一个共同的愿景：一个自由、开放和包容的印度-太平洋地区，由安全的海洋连接，由国际法界定，不受支配，并以东盟为中心。在这个地区，所有的国家，无论大小，都能自由而无畏地做出选择，进步不会被不可能的债务负担所窒息，连通性不会被用于战略目的，所有国家都会被共同繁荣的大潮所推动。
我们的愿景不是寻求遏制或排斥，而是要建立一个和平与繁荣的合作区域。我们通过区域机构以及与区域内外的合作伙伴一起工作。其中，四国集团已成为该地区的一支重要的善的力量。
议长先生，
在 "9-11 "事件发生20多年后，在孟买 "26-11 "事件发生10多年后，激进主义和恐怖主义仍然是整个世界的一个紧迫危险。这些意识形态不断以新的身份和形式出现，但其意图是相同的。恐怖主义是人类的敌人，在处理它时不能有任何如果或但是。我们必须克服所有这些赞助和输出恐怖的力量。
议长先生，
COVID-19最大的影响是它造成的人员损失和痛苦。我希望记住国会议员罗恩-赖特和那些因Covid而丧生的工作人员。
当我们走出大流行病的阴影时，我们必须塑造一个新的世界秩序。当务之急是要考虑、关心和关注。让全球南方发出声音是前进的方向。这就是为什么我坚信，非洲联盟应获得20国集团的正式成员资格。
我们必须恢复多边主义，改革多边机构，提供更好的资源和代表性。这适用于我们所有的全球治理机构，特别是联合国。当世界发生变化时，我们的机构也必须改变。否则，就有可能被一个没有规则的竞争世界所取代。在为一个基于国际法的世界新秩序而努力的过程中，我们两国将作为伙伴站在前列。
议长先生和尊敬的成员们，
今天，我们站在我们关系的一个新的黎明，这不仅将塑造我们两国的命运，也将塑造世界的命运。正如年轻的美国诗人阿曼达-戈尔曼所表达的那样：
"当白昼来临，我们走出阴暗的地方、
火光四射，无所畏惧、
新的黎明随着我们的自由而绽放。
因为总是有光的存在、
只要我们有足够的勇气去看到它"。
我们可信赖的伙伴关系就像这新的黎明中的太阳，将向四周传播光明。
我想起了我曾经写的一首诗：
आसमान में सिर उठाकर
घेन घदलों को चीरकर
रोशी का संकल्प लें
हिन्द हिन्द हिन्द हिन्द
हिन्द ृढ़ निश्चय के साथ चलकर मु Relating्द
हिन्द मन्किल को पार कर
घर अंधेरे को मिताने
अभीतो सूरज उगा है।।
如果我用英语说，那就是
在天空中扬起它的头、
穿透浓密的云层、
带着对光明的承诺、
太阳刚刚升起。
用深深的决心武装起来、
克服了所有的困难、
驱散黑暗的力量、
太阳刚刚升起。
议长先生，尊敬的各位议员，
我们来自不同的环境和历史，但我们因一个共同的愿景而团结在一起。而且，由一个共同的命运。当我们的伙伴关系取得进展时，经济复原力增加，创新增长，科学繁荣，知识进步，人类受益，我们的海洋和天空更加安全，民主将更加闪亮，世界将成为一个更好的地方。
这就是我们伙伴关系的使命。这就是我们对这个世纪的呼唤。议长先生和尊敬的成员们，即使按照我们伙伴关系的高标准，这次访问也是一次巨大的积极转变。我们将共同表明，民主政体很重要，民主政体会带来成果。我指望你们继续支持印度和美国的伙伴关系。
2016年我在这里时，我曾说过，"我们的关系已经为一个重要的未来做好准备"。这个未来就是今天。再次感谢议长先生、副总统女士和尊敬的议员们给我这个荣誉。
上帝保佑美国。
Jai Hind。
印度-美国友谊万岁。
It is always a great honour to address the United States Congress. It is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. For this honour, I extend my deepest gratitude on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India. I see that nearly half of you were here in 2016. I feel your warmth as old friends. I can also see the enthusiasm of a new friendship in the other half. I remember Senator Harry Reid, Senator John McCain, Senator Orrin Hatch, Elijah Cummings, Alcee Hastings and others, who I met here in 2016, and who are sadly no longer with us.
Mister Speaker,
Standing here, seven Junes ago, that’s the June when Hamilton swept all the awards, I said that the hesitations of history were behind us. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century. Through the long and winding road that we have travelled, we have met the test of friendship. A lot has changed since I came here seven summers ago. But a lot has remained the same – like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the United States. In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI – Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI – America and India.
Mister Speaker and Distinguished Members,
The beauty of democracy is the constant connect with the people, to listen to them, and feel their pulse. And, I know this takes a lot of time, energy, effort, and travel. It is a Thursday afternoon – a fly-out day for some of you. So, I am grateful for your time. I also know how busy you have been this last month.
Being a citizen of a vibrant democracy myself, I can admit one thing Mister Speaker – you have a tough job! I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together today, to celebrate the bond between world’s two great democracies – India and the United States. I am happy to help out whenever you need a strong bipartisan consensus. There will be – and there must be – a contest of ideas at home. But, we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation. And, you have shown that you can do it. Congratulations!
Mister Speaker,
The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people. Throughout your history, you have embraced people from around the world. And, you have made them equal partners in the American dream. There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history! I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here. Over two centuries, we have inspired each other through the lives of great Americans and Indians. We pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior. We also remember many others who worked for liberty, equality and justice. Today, I also wish to pay a heartfelt tribute to one of them – Congressman John Lewis.
Mister Speaker,
Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long time, and taken various forms and systems. Throughout history, however, one thing has been clear.
Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity.
Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse.
Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression.
India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial.
In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy.
Millennia ago, our oldest scriptures said,
‘एकम् सत् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति’.
It means – the truth is one but the wise express it in different ways.
Now, the US is the oldest and India the largest democracy.
Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy.
Together, we shall give a better future to the world, and a better world to the future.
Mister Speaker,
Last year, India celebrated 75 years of its independence. Every milestone is important, but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of over 75 years of freedom, after a thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity. Not just of Constitution, but also of its spirit of social empowerment. Not just of our competitive and cooperative federalism, but also of our essential unity and integrity.
We have over two thousand five hundred political parties. Yes, you heard that right- two thousand five hundred. About twenty different parties govern various states of India. We have twenty-two official languages and thousands of dialects, and yet, we speak in one voice. Every hundred miles, our cuisine changes. From Dosa to Aloo Prantha and from Srikhand to Sandesh. We enjoy all of these. We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life.
Today, the world wants to know more and more about India. I see that curiosity in this House too. We were honoured to receive over hundred Members of the US Congress in India over the last decade. Everyone wants to understand India’s development, democracy and diversity. Everyone wants to know what India is doing right and how. Among close friends, I am happy to share the same.
Mister Speaker,
When I first visited the US as Prime Minister, India was the tenth largest economy in the world. Today, India is the fifth largest economy. And, India will be the third largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one sixth of the world’s population! In the last century, when India won its freedom, it inspired many other countries to free themselves from colonial rule. In this century, when India sets benchmarks in growth, it will inspire many other countries to do the same. Our vision is सबका साथ, सबका विकास, सबका विश्वास, सबका प्रयास. It means: Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust and everyone’s efforts.
Let me share with you how this vision is translating into action, with speed and scale. We are focusing on infrastructure development. We have given nearly forty million homes to provide shelter to over hundred and fifty million people. That is nearly six times the population of Australia! We run a national health insurance programme that ensures free medical treatment for about five hundred million people. That is greater than the population of South America! We took banking to the unbanked with the world’s largest financial inclusion drive. Nearly five hundred million people benefited.
This is close to the population of North America! We have worked on building Digital India. Today, there are more than eight hundred and fifty million smart phones and internet users in the country. This is more than the population of Europe! We protected our people with two point two billion doses of made in India COVID vaccines, and that too free of cost! I may be running out of continents soon, so I will stop here!
Distinguished members,
The Vedas are one of the world’s oldest scriptures. They are a great treasure of humanity, composed thousands of years ago. Back then, women sages composed many verses in the Vedas. And today, in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. India’s vision is not just of development which benefits women. It is of women-led development, where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background, to be our Head of State.
Nearly one point five million elected women lead us at various levels and that is of local governments. Today, women serve our country in the Army, Navy and Air Force. India also has the highest percentage of women airline pilots in the world. And, they have also put us on Mars, by leading our Mars Mission. I believe that investing in a girl child lifts up the entire family. Empowering women, transforms the nation.
Mister Speaker,
India is an ancient nation with a youthful population. India is known for its traditions. But the younger generation is also making it a hub of technology. Be it creative reels on Insta or real time payments, coding or quantum computing, machine learning or mobile apps, FinTech or data science, the youth of India are a great example of how a society can embrace latest technology. In India, technology is not only about innovation but also about inclusion. Today, digital platforms are empowering the rights and dignity of people, while protecting privacy.
In the last nine years, over a billion people got a unique digital biometric identity connected with their bank accounts and mobile phones. This digital public infrastructure helps us reach citizens within seconds with financial assistance. Eight hundred and fifty million people receive direct benefit financial transfers into their accounts. Three times a year, over hundred million farmers receive assistance in their bank accounts at the click of a button. The value of such transfers has crossed three hundred and twenty billion dollars, and we have saved over twenty five billion dollars in the process. If you visit India, you will see everyone is using phones for payments, including street vendors.
Last year, out of every 100 real time digital payments in the world, 46 happened in India. Nearly four hundred thousand miles of optical fibre cables, and cheap data have ushered in a revolution of opportunities. Farmers check weather updates, the elderly get social security payments, students access scholarships, doctors deliver tele-medicine, fishermen check fishing grounds and small businesses get loans, with just a tap on their phones.
Mister Speaker,
A spirit of democracy, inclusion and sustainability defines us. It also shapes our outlook to the world. India grows while being responsible about our planet.
We believe:
माता भूमि: पुत्रो अहं पृथिव्या:
This means- “the Earth is our Mother and we are her children.”
Indian culture deeply respects the environment and our planet. While becoming the fastest growing economy, we grew our solar capacity by Two Thousand Three Hundred Percent! Yes, you heard it right – Two Thousand Three Hundred Percent!
We became the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitment. We made renewables account for over forty percent of our energy sources, nine years ahead of the target of 2030. But we did not stop there. At the Glasgow Summit, I proposed Mission LiFE- Lifestyle for Environment. This is a way to make sustainability a true people’s movement. Not leave it to be the job of governments alone.
By being mindful in making choices, every individual can make a positive impact. Making sustainability a mass movement will help the world reach the Net Zero target faster. Our vision is pro-planet progress. Our vision is pro-planet prosperity. Our vision is pro-planet people.
Mister Speaker,
We live by the motto of वसुधैव कुटुंबकम or The World is One Family. Our engagement with the world is for everyone’s benefit. The “One Sun, One World, One Grid” seeks to join us all in connecting the world with clean energy. “One Earth, One Health” is a vision for global action to bring quality healthcare to everyone, including animals and plants.
The same spirit is also seen in the theme when we Chair the G20 – “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” We advance the spirit of unity through Yoga as well. Just yesterday, the whole world came together to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. Just last week, all nations joined our proposal at the UN to build a Memorial Wall to honour the peacekeepers.
And this year, the whole world is celebrating the International Year of Millets, to promote sustainable agriculture and nutrition alike. During Covid, we delivered vaccines and medicines to over hundred and fifty countries. We reach out to others during disasters as first responders, as we do for our own. We share our modest resources with those who need them the most. We build capabilities, not dependencies.
Mister Speaker,
When I speak about India’s approach to the world, the United States occupies a special place. I know our relations are of great importance to all of you. Every Member of this Congress has a deep interest in it. When defence and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania thrive. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircrafts creates more than a million jobs in forty four states in America.
When an American phone maker invests in India, it creates an entire ecosystem of jobs and opportunities, in both countries. When India and the US work together on semi-conductors and critical minerals, it helps the world in making supply chains more diverse, resilient and reliable. Indeed, Mister Speaker, we were strangers in defence cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the United States has become one of our most important defence partners. Today India and the US are working together, in space and in the seas, in science and in semi-conductors, in start-ups and sustainability, in tech and in trade, in farming and finance, in art and artificial intelligence, in energy and education, in healthcare and humanitarian efforts.
I can go on and on. But, to sum it up, I would say,
The scope of our co-operation is endless,
The potential of our synergies is limitless,
And, the chemistry in our relations is effortless.
In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee. With their hearts and minds, talent and skills, and their love for America and India, they have connected us; they have unlocked doors; they have shown the potential of our partnership.
Mister Speaker, Distinguished Members,
Every Indian Prime Minister and American President of the past has taken our relationship further. But our generation has the honour of taking it to greater heights. I agree with President Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century. Because it serves a larger purpose. Democracy, demography and destiny give us that purpose. One consequence of globalisation has been the over-concentration of supply chains.
We will work together to diversify, decentralize, and democratise supply chains. Technology will determine the security, prosperity and leadership in the Twenty First century. That is why our two countries established a new “Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies.” Our knowledge partnership will serve humanity and seek solutions to the global challenges of climate change, hunger and health.
Mister Speaker and distinguished Members,
The last few years have seen deeply disruptive developments. With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe. Countries of the Global South have been particularly affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war. But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And, we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. Mister Speaker, The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership.
We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality. A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity.
Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, Quad has emerged as a major force of good for the region.
Mister Speaker,
More than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror.
Mister Speaker,
COVID-19’s biggest impact was the human loss and suffering it caused. I wish to remember Congressman, Ron Wright and the staff members who lost their lives to Covid. As we emerge out of the pandemic, we must give shape to a new world order. Consideration, care and concern are the need of the hour. Giving a voice to the Global South is the way forward. That is why I firmly believe that the African Union be given full membership of G20.
We must revive multilateralism and reform multilateral institutions, with better resources and representation. That applies to all our global institutions of governance, especially the United Nations. When the world has changed, our institutions too must change. Or, risk getting replaced by a world of rivalries without rules. In working for a new world order based on international law, our two countries will be at the forefront, as partners.
Mister Speaker and Distinguished members,
Today, we stand at a new dawn in our relationship that will not only shape the destiny of our two nations, but also that of the world. As the young American Poet Amanda Gorman has expressed:
“When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid,
the new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.”
Our trusted partnership is like the Sun in this new dawn that will spread light all around.
I am reminded of a poem that I once wrote :
आसमान में सिर उठाकर
घने बादलों को चीरकर
रोशनी का संकल्प लें
अभी तो सूरज उगा है ।
दृढ़ निश्चय के साथ चलकर
हर मुश्किल को पार कर
घोर अंधेरे को मिटाने
अभी तो सूरज उगा है।।
If I were to say it in English, it would be:
Raising its head in the skies,
Piercing through the dense clouds,
With the promise of light,
The sun has just risen.
Armed with a deep resolve,
Overcoming all the odds,
To dispel the forces of darkness,
The sun has just risen.
Mister Speaker and Distinguished Members,
We come from different circumstances and history, but we are united by a common vision. And, by a common destiny. When our partnership progresses, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science flourishes, knowledge advances, humanity benefits, our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter, and the world will be a better place.
That is the mission of our partnership. That is our calling for this century. Mister Speaker and Distinguished members, Even by the high standards of our partnership, this visit is one of a great positive transformation. Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver. I count on your continued support to the India-US partnership.
When I was here in 2016, I had said that “our relationship is primed for a momentous future”. That future is today. Thank you once again Mister Speaker, Madam Vice-President and the Distinguished Members for this honour.
God Bless America.
Jai Hind.
Long Live India-US friendship.