Washington, D.C. –House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. Capitol today, where he will address a Joint Meeting of Congress:

“I’m proud to welcome Prime Minister Modi to the U.S. Capitol, and honored to serve as a member of the bipartisan escort committee that will accompany him on the House floor. 

“As the oldest and largest democracies, the U.S. and India have a special relationship.  Our partnership on such issues as defense, nuclear power, renewable energy and space exploration is very strong.  And I am confident that Prime Minister Modi’s address will provide new momentum for additional progress.”  

WATCH:

  • Prime Minister Modi’s 11 a.m. ET address will be available via livestream HERE.
  • The House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee reception honoring Prime Minister Modi will be available on Facebook Live HERE at approximately 1 p.m. ET.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

  • In April, Chairman Royce senta letter to Speaker Ryan encouraging him to invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress.  Chairman Royce is a former co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus.
  • Prime Minister Modi will be the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address a Joint Meeting of Congress: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress in 2005.

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