You have honoured world's largest democracy: PM Modi to US Congress

NEW DELHI: In a landmark event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the joint session of US Congress, a day after meeting President Barack Obama at the White House. He thanked the US leadership for giving him the opportunity.

"In granting me this opportunity, you have honoured the world's largest democracy and its 1.25 billion people. This temple of democracy has encouraged and empowered other democracies the world over," he said.

"There were many who doubted India when, as a newly independent nation, we reposed our faith in democracy. Our founders created a modern nation with freedom, democracy, and equality as the essence of its soul. India applauds the great sacrifices of the men and women from 'The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave' in service of mankind," he added.

He became the fifth Indian Prime Minister after Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh to address the US Congress.

He also invoked Mahatma Gandhi's ideals, saying "Gandhi's non-violence inspired the heroism of Martin Luther King. Today, India lives as one, India grows as one, India celebrates as one," he said.

PM Modi blameed Pakistan for Mumbai terror attack. "India will never forget the solidarity shown by US Congress when terrorists from across our border attacked Mumbai in 2008. No wonder then, that President Obama has called our ties the defining partnership of the 21st century."