Kaine Statement On Indian Prime Minister Modi’s Address To A Joint Meeting Of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to a joint meeting of Congress earlier today:

“It was an honor to hear Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India before a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol today. With the strategic importance of the U.S.-India relationship growing every year, I’ve been encouraged by increased cooperation on defense issues between our two countries, including the ongoing discussions regarding aircraft carrier technology. As we continue to foster stability and combat terrorism in the Indo-Asia Pacific region, continued collaboration and expansion of multilateral exercises with our regional partners will be absolutely critical. I also applaud India’s commitment to addressing climate change through the Paris Agreement, in which India committed to using technology innovation to grow its economy while reducing its carbon footprint.”

“Virginia has a strong and vibrant Indian-American community representative of the close personal, business, and educational bonds between our two nations – the world’s two largest democracies.  Some members of the Indian-American community in Virginia, many of whom are Sikh, have expressed concerns about issues of religious tolerance and liberty in India.  I hope that Prime Minister Modi continues efforts to better protect the inalienable rights afforded to all people, just as we fight against expressions of religious intolerance in our own political climate.”   

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