Narendra Modi, India's diplomatic ambitions, and the US Congress speech

India has traditionally been a non-aligned nation. It has neither been a very close friend of any major power, nor has antagonised anyone unnecessarily. However, developments over the past two decades in global politics, especially the Sino-Pakistan all-weather friendship in India's backyard, created serious threats for Indian interests not just in the sub-continent but globally. Hence, the Indian establishment has taken up a proactive global diplomatic relationship-building on multiple fronts. This picked up pace post the inauguration of the Modi government in 2014. 

Namaste, from the emerging superpower

Multiple energetic initiatives followed, not the least of them being Prime Minister Modi leading the global charge personally. Despite constant ridicule he faced at home from a shrill media, and multiple WhatsApp memes, labelling him 'a visiting PM India has', he has continued undaunted. For all that, the results are beginning to show in a big way now, beginning with India gaining a positive edge for MTCR membership, further strengthening its case for a berth in the NSG, vital to our long-term Uranium needs.

In this background, PM Modi delivered a speech to the joint session of the US Congress on 08-June 2016, which summed up his multi-directional efforts. Undoubtedly, to my mind at least, it was one of his best speeches. I share a few pointers as to why it is so -

1. Brilliantly delivered while controlling a lot of his innate speaker aggression [ has evolved as a speaker ]
2. Slowly built the tempo, while intelligently invoking the best call for democracy ever - Lincoln's Gettysburg address [ Lincoln consistently remains the most revered icon in America ]
3. Gave the link between Indian greats and USA - Vivekananda, Bhimrao Ambedkar, Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee etc. Each example had a domestic political reason too, hence well-served. [ An eye on coming State elections in India ]
4. Constantly reminded everyone of the sheer size of India, the strongest reason they can't miss us (woohoo, there's 1300000000 of us now; although he spoke of 125 crores) [ played on inherent strength ]
5. Biggest and Oldest democracies - the key link was repeated in multiple ways (so the natural outcast is China), and reminded that administrations change but policy remains steady [ bracketing China using tools they never can! ]
6. Was dressed in a visibly Indian attire - maintains originality while using a non-native tongue in a foreign land [ Doing business on his terms ]
7. Did his main job once he had the audience in rapt attention - blasted the incubation centre of terrorism in India's neighbourhood + indicated India's interest in a safe Afghanistan where the US sacrificed so much + spoke of his pet infra projects in India + praised & elaborated upon the range of Indian talent in American society [Take this!]
8. Used humour in a nice way - I face a harmonious Parliament like you do!, We still haven't applied for IPR on Yoga!, Indians do well even in American spelling bees! - these were very effective reminders of the duplicity of American attitude in trade and politics [ Make them laugh, make them yours ]
9. Stayed confident throughout despite visible stumbles as his natural flavour is in Hindi [ Strength of character not style alone ]
10. Repeatedly reminded the audience of the unbelievable diversity of India, and of the fact that despite that we have stayed a functioning democratic republic [ Wager your money on us - we won’t let you down ]

There have been great orators and speakers who've addressed from the same platform. But the evolution of Modi the PM into a confident global statesman who relentlessly strives for hard results is no mean feat. He may not have his way entirely with the Americans, but he makes a mark that’s not easy to forget. Way to go, Sir. All strength to you.

Here is the speech for your reference - 

Jai Hind!
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