India lives as one, grows as one, celebrates as one: Modi in US

Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address during a joint meet of the US Congress remains an impeccable show for both India and US. Modi said that granting him an opportunity to address the joint meet is an honour for world's largest democracy and its 1.25 billion people.

Here’s what PM Modi said:

• 'This temple of democracy has encouraged and empowered other democracies world over.'
• As a representative of world's largest democracy, it's a privilege to speak to the leaders of its oldest
• There were many who doubted India when, as a newly independent nation, we reposed our faith in democracy
• India applauds great sacrifices of men & women from 'The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave' in service of mankind
• Our founders created a modern nation with freedom, democracy, and equality as the essence of its soul
• Today, India lives as one; India grows as one; India celebrates as one
• Gandhi's non-violence inspired the heroism of Martin Luther King
• Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history
• Comfort, candour, and convergence define our conversations
• The genius of Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to India
• Our cooperation secures our cities and citizens from terrorists and protects our critical infrastructure from cyber threats
• My dream is to economically empower our billion citizens through many social and economic transformations
• India's strong economy and growth rate of 7.6% per annum, is creating new opportunities for our mutual prosperity
• I see US as an indispensible partner. Many of you believe that a stronger & prosperous India is in America's strategic interest
• Constraints of the past are behind us and foundations of the future firmly in place
• Terrorism incubated in India's neighbourhood. I commend the members of U.S. Congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains
• India will never forget the solidarity shown by US Congress when terrorists from across our border attacked Mumbai in 2008
• Those who believe in humanity must come together as one & speak against this menace in one voice. Terrorism must be delegitimized
• But its (terrorism) philosophy is common, of hate, murder and violence
• Terrorism remains the biggest threat. From West of India's border to Africa, it may go by different names, LeT, Taliban or ISIS
• Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of three million Indian Americans
• SIRI tells us that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the USA. And, we have not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga
• You are well-known for your bipartisanship. I also witnessed similar spirit in Indian Parliament, especially in Upper House
• We trade more with the US than with any other nation
• No wonder then, that President Obama has called our ties the defining partnership of the 21st century
• The genius of Baba Saheb Ambedkar was nurtured in the years he spent at the Columbia University a century ago: PM
• Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee called India and the US, 'natural allies'