Last Friday, on a panel in Parliament, alongside an Indian diplomat, I congratulated them on their PM’s outstanding speech to the US Congress. Then I promptly turned to a UK Parliamentarian and joked someone’s muscling in on the UK-US Special Relationship.
When I worked in that US Congress, I used to write speeches for the Congressman for whom I worked. My biggest regret in life is not continuing to work there. Anyway, as a speechwriter here is my alternative speech for PM Modi to the US Congress:
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the United States Congress,
I stand before you today as a representative of the world's largest democracy, a country that values freedom, equality, and human dignity as its core tenets. A nation that, much like your own, has a diverse tapestry of cultures, languages, religions, and ideas, yet finds unity in diversity, and strength in pluralism. E Pluribus Unum – from many, one, could have written too about Hindustan.
India and the United States share a common heritage as democratic nations. We are both societies shaped by the will of the people, powered by the spirit of freedom, and driven by the pursuit of progress. Our nations were born out of a desire for self-governance, a longing for liberty, and a demand for human rights. These shared values have been the bedrock of our bilateral relations, and they continue to strengthen our bond in the face of shared challenges and opportunities.
In India, we deeply value our democratic traditions, our commitment to the rule of law, and our respect for human rights. These are not mere words inscribed in our Constitution, but ideals that we strive to live by every day. They guide our actions, shape our policies, and inspire our youth. Just as America's founding principles continue to guide this great nation, India too is guided by its commitment to uphold these principles in the face of all challenges.
We believe in the power of dialogue and the importance of peaceful resolution. Our democratic ethos ensures that every voice is heard, every concern is acknowledged, and every individual's rights are protected. Our courts uphold the rights of the people, and our media ensures accountability and transparency. Like you, we strive too to perfection. We too know like all great nations, we are a work in progress; but we strive to achieve the ideal of our Constitution. This commitment to human rights and democratic values is as strong in India as it is in the United States.
India and the United States also share a common commitment to safeguarding these rights and values not just within our borders, but across the world. We have stood shoulder to shoulder to confront the forces that threaten these ideals in two World Wars, and we will continue to do so.
Our cooperation extends beyond our shared democratic values. We collaborate in science and technology, space exploration, climate change, and health initiatives. Our economies are intertwined, and our people-to-people ties are growing stronger each day. Indeed, the lady standing behind me, the Vice President of the United States, is testimony to that.
I believe that our shared commitment to democracy and human rights will continue to guide our partnership in the years to come. We have much to learn from each other, much to share, and much to achieve together. In this journey, let us remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, "Democracy is not a state in which people act like sheep. It is a state in which people act upon their individual sense of responsibility towards all."
Let us continue to act upon our shared sense of responsibility towards our people, towards our nations, and towards the world. Let us continue to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights that are the cornerstone of our societies. And let us continue to work together, as partners, for a better, more peaceful, and more equitable world.
Thank you.”
