2023-06-23 14:05:16
It is ‘Global Village Today’ that delivers major news from various countries around the world.
Host) What news do you have today?
Reporter) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to the United States, emphasized the close cooperation between the two countries at a joint meeting of the US Senate and House of Representatives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a ban on imports of books from Russia.
Host) Global Village Today, this is the first news. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a state visit to the United States, addressed the U.S. Congress.
Reporter) Yes. On the 22nd, Prime Minister Modi stood at the podium of the joint US Senate and House of Representatives. This is the second time Prime Minister Modi has addressed the US Congress since 2016.
Host) What did Prime Minister Modi say to US lawmakers?
Reporter) Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of cooperation and development of relations between the two countries. “The United States is the oldest democracy and India is the largest,” Modi said. “The partnership between the United States and India bodes very well for a democratic future.”
Host) Does India being the largest democracy have anything to do with India’s population?
Reporter) Yes. India is currently the world’s most populous country with a population of over 1.4 billion. Until last year, China was the world’s most populous country. However, China is a one-party communist party system, and it does not correspond to a democratic country. India, with its large population, has always been recognized as the world’s largest democracy.
Host) What else did Prime Minister Modi say?
Reporter) Yes. Commenting on India’s rapid economic growth and technological innovation, Prime Minister Modi stressed that this growth was driven particularly by women and the younger generation. During Prime Minister Modi’s speech, applause broke out several times. In particular, long applause poured in when Prime Minister Modi mentioned Vice President Kamala Harris.
Moderator) Is there a special relationship between Vice President Harris and India?
Reporter) Yes. Vice President Harris’ mother is Indian. His father is of Jamaican descent, and Vice President Harris holds the record for being the first colored Vice President in American history. When Vice President Harris took office in 2021, there were voices in India that expected Vice President Harris to play a big role in the development of bilateral relations.
Moderator) Did Prime Minister Modi also reveal his position on international issues to US lawmakers?
Reporter) Yes. Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said that now is not an era of war and that “the bloodshed and suffering must end.” He also stressed the importance of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific that is directly related to maritime security.
Moderator) Didn’t Prime Minister Modi directly criticize Russia?
Reporter) Yes. It was only a principled position to call for an end to the bloodshed. In fact, India has long been dependent on Russia for military equipment and weapons. It remained neutral even following Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. In particular, it has taken a different course from the West by significantly increasing Russian oil imports.
Moderator) By the way, on the occasion of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the two countries, the United States and India, have decided to strengthen cooperation in various fields, right?
Reporter) Yes. In particular, cooperation in the military field and advanced technology stands out. The two countries agreed to sell the US-made MQ-9B to India, jointly produce fighter engines with US General Electric (GE) in India, and allow US Navy ships to use Indian shipyards. Prime Minister Modi welcomed it as a “monument that will give new characteristics” to the military and defense industry cooperation between the two countries. It is evaluated as a great strategic achievement for India, which is experiencing a border dispute with China.
Moderator) What kind of cooperation are you promoting in the technical field?
Reporter) Yes. The two heads of state agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computers, as well as semiconductors, where supply chain issues have recently been raised. India also decided to raise the level of strategic cooperation between the two countries, such as participating in the ‘Mineral Security Partnership’ led by the US government.
Moderator) How did US lawmakers react to Prime Minister Modi’s speech to Congress?
Reporter) Yes. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, said in a statement following the speech that the relationship between the two countries is closer, stronger and more important than ever. Chairman McCarthy said, “Anything is possible on this solid foundation,” and looked forward to the economic development and security enhancement of both countries. In a statement released following Prime Minister Modi’s speech, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also said that the United States and India share values beyond trade, shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific, and faced common challenges. said. At the same time, he emphasized, “India knows firsthand the bellicose behavior of China.”
Moderator) On the other hand, there were also voices of concern regarding the human rights situation in India from some in the US politics, right?
Reporter) Yes. In the United States, criticism has been raised that Modi’s ruling ‘Indian National Party (BJP)’ is violating human rights by suppressing minority religions such as Islam, suppressing opposition parties and freedom of speech, while claiming conservative Hindu nationalism. Accordingly, regarding 70 lawmakers also sent a solidarity letter demanding that President Joe Biden raise this issue and urge correction when meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
Moderator) Some MPs refused to attend Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary speech?
Reporter) Yes. Some members of the Democratic Party, including members of the House of Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Talib, did not attend, protesting Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary speech. Both of these members are Muslims who believe in Islam. They protested that human rights should not be sacrificed for political or economic interests.
Moderator) Did President Biden mention this in his meeting with Prime Minister Modi?
Reporter) Yes. President Biden said he had a direct discussion with Prime Minister Modi on issues including human rights issues. President Biden also emphasized that “one of the fundamental reasons why the relationship between the United States and India is different from the relationship between the United States and China is that both the United States and India are democratic countries.” Prime Minister Modi also emphasized that “in India’s democratic values, there is no class system, religion, creed or age.” Meanwhile, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi condemned North Korea’s missile launch and reaffirmed their promise to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula in a joint statement issued following the meeting on the 22nd. We also urged North Korea to fulfill its obligations under Security Council resolutions and engage in substantive dialogue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (file photo)
Host) Global village today, the next news. Ukraine bans imports of Russian books?
Reporter) Yes. On the 22nd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law banning the import of Russian books for commercial purposes. President Zelensky also signed a bill banning the import of books published in Belarus and books published in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
Host) Why is the Ukrainian government taking such action?
Reporter) This is a measure to prevent the so-called ‘propaganda war’. “The adopted law will help protect Ukraine’s cultural and information space from Russian anti-Ukrainian propaganda,” the Office of the President of Ukraine said on Twitter. President Zelensky also told Telegram, “I think this law is right.”
Moderator) Has the bill already passed the Ukrainian Parliament?
Reporter) Yes. The bill was adopted through a vote in the Ukrainian parliament a year ago. I was waiting for the President’s signature. The new law also requires special permission to import books in Russian from third countries.
Moderator) So, is it a move to block Russian books at the source?
Reporter) Yes. This action is part of the so-called ‘de-Russia’ process that the Ukrainian government has been promoting for several years. The Ukrainian government has been trying to regain its own cultural identity, seeing that Russia has pursued a policy of destroying its own identity over the past hundreds of years.
Moderator) Please tell us regarding the situation in Ukraine.
Reporter) Yes. Ukrainian forces have stopped Russian offensives in the northeast of Kupyansk and Riemann, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Malyar said on Wednesday. Kupiansk and Rieman were captured by Ukrainian forces last year. Recently, the Russian offensive to regain control of the region has been intensifying. Malyaar said Ukraine’s military operations on the southern front were proceeding as planned.
Moderator) By the way, the evaluation that the Ukrainian army’s counterattack operation is slow continues to come out, right?
Reporter) Yes. In response, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Schmihal urged patience and wait for the outcome. Prime Minister Schmihal attended the ‘Ukraine Reconstruction Conference’ held in London the previous day (22nd) and said that while Ukraine was preparing for a counterattack, Russia was also preparing for it. Prime Minister Schmihal said that it was difficult to speed because there were too many minefields in particular. “We’re going to be smart regarding our offensive operations, and that’s going to take time,” he said.
Host) I will listen to the global village today.
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