Modi wants deeper US-India security relationship

Indian PM addresses joint meeting of US Senate and House of Representatives

WASHINGTON: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States on Wednesday, in an address to the US Congress stressing the importance of the warm relationship between the two countries.

"The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels. And the traditional tools of military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight," Modi told a rare joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

"We have both lost civilians and soldiers in combating it. The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation," Modi
said.

A big thank you to all Congressmen, Congresswomen, Senators and guests who attended the address.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 8, 2016

Honoured & privileged to address a joint meeting of the US Congress. Here is my speech. https://t.co/rEw8uuhhEk pic.twitter.com/HxiEzX0Jbq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 8, 2016

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, June 8, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

In a speech interrupted by repeated applause, Modi did not mention Pakistan or China specifically, but said the deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbors, supports or sponsors terrorists, and separate religion from terrorism.

With navigation in Asian waters, such as disputes over the South China Sea, a major regional concern, Modi said a stronger US-India partnership could boost peace and prosperity.



"It can also help ensure security of the sea lanes and commerce and freedom of navigation on seas," Modi added.

He also stressed that India is committed to helping rebuild a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, even as he said he considers terrorism the biggest threat in Afghanistan as well as elsewhere in South Asia.