Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the US Congress gets 8 standing ovations

On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his first speech at the US Congress to a thunderous response. His speech got 8 standing ovations.

He was addressing a joint meeting of Congress in the House of Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Dressed in trademark white kurta pyjama and grey-coloured half-jacket, Modi was warmly received by the American lawmakers who interrupted his address more than 40 times to cheer him, a few times by standing.

According to Sanjay Baru, who was the Media Advisor to Manmohan Singh, Modi’s predecessor’s 2005 US Congrees speech was applauded 33 times.

Modi took a leaf out of the American playbook and lavishly praised the hosts, while criticising Pakistan’s role in terrorism and positioning India as a much reliable partner than China.

In his 45-minute-long speech, he covered all major aspects of the growing relationship between India and the US, particularly mentioning strategic ties and civil nuclear cooperation and emphasized that the two countries should leave the 'constraints of the pasts' behind as the 'foundations of the future are firmly in place.'

Here are six of his top quotes during his speech:

Image credit: Reuters