Modi addresses Joint Session of US Congress, highlights strength of India-US bond

Amid standing ovations given to him by the members, he also mentioned the deep relationship shared between India and the US and the fields where both the nations could expand their bond.

"People exercise their franchise every five years. All the citizens have freedom from fear. The freedom they exercise every moment of their lives," Modi said as members applauded during his speech.

Modi said: "Today, India lives as one; India grows as one; India celebrates as one."

He said the Constitution is considered to be a holy book by his government.

Modi said: "For my government the Constitution is the real holy book."

Speaking about the relationship between India and the US, Modi said: "No wonder then, that former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee called India and the U.S. 'natural allies'."

"No wonder then, that President Obama has called our ties the defining partnership of the 21st century," he said.

Modi said the relationship between the two nations has overcome the hesitations of history.

"Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. Comfort, candour, and convergence define our conversations," he said.

"Our cooperation secures our cities and citizens from terrorists and protects our critical infrastructure from cyber threats," he said.

He said India sees the US as an indispensible partner.

"I see US as an indispensible partner. Many of you believe that a stronger and prosperous India is in America's strategic interest," Modi, who is currently on a five-nation tour, said.

"India's strong economy and growth rate of 7.6% per annum, is creating new opportunities for our mutual prosperity," he said.

Pitching for the need for India-US partnership, he said: "A strong India-U.S. partnership can anchor peace, prosperity, and stability from Asia to Africa & from Indian Ocean to the Pacific."

Referring to the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, Modi said his nation will not forget the solidarity shown by U.S. Congress during that time.

"India will never forget the solidarity shown by U.S. Congress when terrorists from across our border attacked Mumbai in 2008," Modi said referring to the attack and Pakistan's involvement in it.

He said terrorism remain the biggest threat to humanity.

"The fight against terrorism has be fought at many levels," he said.

"I commend the members of U.S. Congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains," he said.

Modi said: "Those who believe in humanity must come together as one & speak against this menace in one voice. Terrorism must be delegitimized."

During his speech, Modi said Apple's virtual assistance SIRI told that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the U.S.

"And, we have not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga," he said.

Speaking on the Indian diaspora, Modi said: "Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of three million Indian Americans."

Modi said he dreams to economically empower 'billion citizens' of India.

"My dream is to economically empower our billion citizens through many social and economic transformations," Modi said.

"They are goals to be reached in a finite time frame," he said.

Modi said to live in harmony with Mother Earth is a part of India's ancient belief.

Image: Vikas Swarup Twitter page