How Twitter reacted to Narendra Modi's US Congress speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech at the US Congress on Wednesday that was dubbed as ’eloquent’ and ‘with the right amount of humour’. The prime minister referred to Pakistan, Yoga, terrorism, China, Siri and funnily enough, Walt Whitman as Twitteratti expressed their admiration for Modi’s oratory skills. “India is already assuming her responsibilities in securing the Indian Ocean region,” said Modi, “A strong India-US partnership can anchor peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa and the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.” In an indirect reference to China, he also touted India’s “respect for global commons and for international rules and norms.” Modi addressed US concerns on issues like intellectual property rights with humour. “Siri tells us that India’s ancient heritage of yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the US. It is estimated that more Americans bend for yoga than to throw a curve ball,” Modi said before landing his punchline. “And, no Mr Speaker (Paul Ryan), we have not yet claimed intellectual property rights on yoga,” Modi said drawing laughter. In a not-so-veiled reference to Pakistan, Modi said that terrorism was “incubated in India’s neighbourhood.” “Not just in Afghanistan, but elsewhere in South Asia, and globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat,” said Modi. “In the territory stretching from west of India’s border to Africa, it may go by different names, from Lashkar-e-Taiba, to Taliban to IS.” Modi’s speech was applauded in the US Congress, but back home many took to Twitter to laud the speech and express their admiration for Modi.

Hon @narendramodi Ji, you made 125 crore Indians feel on the top of the world and won more than 7 billion hearts of the world! #ModiInUS

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) June 8, 2016

Superb speech by PM @narendramodi ji at #USCongress really a proud moment to see @PMOIndia getting standing Ovation n Applause.🙏 #ModiInUS

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) June 8, 2016

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Now thats a good one! India not claimed IPR on yoga! #USCongress

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) June 8, 2016

Brilliantly spoken line in @narendramodi speech #USCongress : "Today, we (India and U.S) have conquered hesitations of history." Will endure

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) June 8, 2016

Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for making me feel a PROUD INDIAN. Brilliant speech.:) #ModiInUS #USCongress

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) June 8, 2016

When @narendramodi j speaks of democracy, univ franchise and 1947, a word for Nehru maybe? #ModiInUS

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 8, 2016

If you ask Modi cheerleaders, they will probably give his speech 11 on 10. I give it 7.5! 😀

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 8, 2016

Modi speech is a reminder of why grassroots politicians make the best diplomats. They know how to charm. #ModiInUS #USCongress

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) June 8, 2016

May God be on @PMOIndia @narendramodi_in 's side always. India is being taken to greater heights. Thanku.Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/6F6220j1wz

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) June 8, 2016

  However, not everyone took such a positive view of the prime minister’s speech:

De-link religion from terror Modi tells US Congress. Practice before you preach Mr Modi. Stop helping RSS activists involved in Terror blast

— Digvijaya Singh (@digvijaya_28) June 9, 2016

1/2 @yogeshdattani It was a very good speech. Imagine if @narendramodi had mentioned his predecessor RajivGandhi's joke at same podium in'85

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 8, 2016

2/2 @yogeshdattani Rajivji had ref'd the Boston TeaParty by saying if the tea had been from India, US revs wld not hv thrown it into harbour

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 8, 2016