Over the years, several Indian Prime Ministers have had the honor of addressing a joint session of the US Congress. Let’s take a look at some of these historic events.

1. Jawaharlal Nehru (1949)

Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress in 1949. At the time, the US and India were seeking to strengthen diplomatic ties during the post-World War II period.

2. Rajiv Gandhi (1985)

In 1985, Rajiv Gandhi addressed a joint session of the US Congress, where he discussed the growing economic relationship between India and the US. His visit also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the United Nations.

3. P.V. Narasimha Rao (1994)

P.V. Narasimha Rao addressed the US Congress in 1994, where he spoke about the shift towards a market-oriented economy in India. He also discussed the importance of building stronger ties between India and the US.

4. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2000)

Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed a joint session of the US Congress in 2000, where he emphasized the need for the US and India to work together to combat terrorism. He also discussed the potential for increased economic cooperation between the two nations.

5. Manmohan Singh (2005, 2013)

Manmohan Singh addressed joint sessions of the US Congress in both 2005 and 2013. During his first address, he discussed the historic India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement. During his second address, he emphasized the importance of strengthening the economic relationship between the two countries.

These speeches have served as important milestones in the history of India-US relations. They highlight the shared values, ties, and goals of the two nations.