On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the US Congress for the second time. His nearly one-hour-long address&nbsp;was attended by many lawmakers and the Indian-American community.

Modi’s speech, which touched upon various key themes, received 15 standing ovations, 79 applauses.

This time, his speech was longer in duration than last time, which was about 45 minutes in 2016.

As soon as he ended his address, many US lawmakers were seen rushing to Modi to interact with him, and also take his autograph, and click selfies.

During this time, chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' ('Long live mother India). and 'Vande Mataram' (praise the motherland) reverberated the premises.

Among those who sought Modi’s autograph was Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy. The Indian PM autographed McCarthy's joint session address booklet.

<img alt="Modi thanked McCarthy for allowing him to address the joint session of the US Congress." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5166bee9-0aee-4d30-b534-fcf22dc15c17" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mccarthy.png" />

<h2>Modi thanked McCarthy</h2>

Modi thanked McCarthy for allowing him to address the joint session of the US Congress.

"It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to the US Capitol, one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations," tweeted McCarthy.

Before the State Dinner, McCarthy said he had a great time with him.

"We had a great time with Prime Minister Modi. We have a very strong relationship, PM Modi continues to make that grow and make both nations stronger," McCarthy said.

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US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, who also attended the event, said the visit of Modi reflects growing India-US ties.

"It has been wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. It has grown so strong, this is not just the relationship between two men, or two governments, its really two peoples," said Garcetti.

There were some notable moments during the prime minister's speech.

While talking about Americans with Indian roots, he pointed at US Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, "There are many Americans with Indian roots sitting in our midst. There is one behind me, who has made history."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-at-us-congress-momentous-developments-in-another-al-america-and-india-607562">Modi at US Congress: 'Momentous developments' in another Al - America, India</a>

The remarks drew applause as well as laughter in the assembly. But the members couldn’t control their laughter when he said, "I am told that the Samosa Caucus is more the flavour of the House."

<h2>What's the 'Samosa Caucus'?</h2>

Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi, the representative for Illinois's 8th Congressional district in the United States, popularised the term 'Samosa Caucus' to describe the growing community of Indian-American lawmakers, commonly referred to as "desi."

This caucus includes notable individuals such as Ro Khanna, Pramila Jaipal, Shri Thanedar, and Ami Bera, all of whom belong to the Democratic Party. While the 'Samosa Caucus' is not an official caucus, the shared cultural identity fosters closer ties and facilitates engagement with the US Congress.

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On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the US Congress for the second time. His nearly one-hour-long address was attended by many lawmakers and the Indian-American community.

On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the US Congress for the second time. His nearly one-hour-long address was attended by many lawmakers and the Indian-American community. Modi’s speech, which touched upon various key themes, received 15 standing ovations, 79 applauses. This time, his speech was longer in duration than last time, which was about 45 minutes in 2016. As soon as he ended his address, many US lawmakers were seen rushing to Modi to interact with him, and also take his autograph, and click selfies. During this time, chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' ('Long live mother India). and 'Vande Mataram' (praise the motherland) reverberated the premises. Among those who sought Modi’s autograph was Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy. The Indian PM autographed McCarthy's joint session address booklet. Modi thanked McCarthy Modi thanked McCarthy for allowing him to address the joint session of the US Congress. "It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to the US Capitol, one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations," tweeted McCarthy. Before the State Dinner, McCarthy said he had a great time with him. "We had a great time with Prime Minister Modi. We have a very strong relationship, PM Modi continues to make that grow and make both nations stronger," McCarthy said. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, who also attended the event, said the visit of Modi reflects growing India-US ties. "It has been wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. It has grown so strong, this is not just the relationship between two men, or two governments, its really two peoples," said Garcetti. There were some notable moments during the prime minister's speech. While talking about Americans with Indian roots, he pointed at US Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, "There are many Americans with Indian roots sitting in our midst. There is one behind me, who has made history." Also read | Modi at US Congress: 'Momentous developments' in another Al - America, India The remarks drew applause as well as laughter in the assembly. But the members couldn’t control their laughter when he said, "I am told that the Samosa Caucus is more the flavour of the House." What's the 'Samosa Caucus'? Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi, the representative for Illinois's 8th Congressional district in the United States, popularised the term 'Samosa Caucus' to describe the growing community of Indian-American lawmakers, commonly referred to as "desi." This caucus includes notable individuals such as Ro Khanna, Pramila Jaipal, Shri Thanedar, and Ami Bera, all of whom belong to the Democratic Party. While the 'Samosa Caucus' is not an official caucus, the shared cultural identity fosters closer ties and facilitates engagement with the US Congress. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US lawmakers take PM Modi's autographs, click selfies with him after joint address to Congress

A number of members of the US Congress raised the issue of India signing a deal with Russia for a nuclear submarine last week during&nbsp;Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-secretary-vijay-gokhale-begins-three-day-visit-to-us-likely-to-meet-pompeo-202507">Vijay Gokhale</a>&nbsp;recent visit to Washington&nbsp;official sources said on Saturday. 
 
Gokhale clarified that India finalided the deal for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia and it was not an acquisition or a purchase, they said. 
 
However, the issue was not raised by the US administration during Gokhale's three-day visit to Washington earlier this week. 
 
Some members of the Congress raised the issue as they have some mis-perception about it, the sources said, adding Gokhale also explained to them that the submarine will only have conventional weapons. 
 
In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under which Washington can punish countries and entities engaged in a transaction with defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. 
 
The sanctions were imposed for Moscow's alleged meddling in the US presidential election in 2016.&nbsp; 
 
On March 7, India sealed a $3 billion deal with Russia for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years. 
 
In October last year, India inked an agreement with Russia to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. India went ahead with the deal notwithstanding the US's warnings against it.&nbsp; 
 
Under the deal for submarine, Russia will have to deliver an Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. 
 
It will be the third Russian submarine to be leased to the Indian Navy. 
 
The first Russian nuclear-powered submarine -- christened INS Chakra -- was taken in 1988 under a three-year lease. A second INS Chakra was taken on lease in 2012 for a period of 10 years.

A number of members of the US Congress raised the issue of India signing a deal with Russia for a nuclear submarine last week during Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale recent visit to Washington official sources said on Saturday.

A number of members of the US Congress raised the issue of India signing a deal with Russia for a nuclear submarine last week during Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale recent visit to Washington official sources said on Saturday. Gokhale clarified that India finalided the deal for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia and it was not an acquisition or a purchase, they said. However, the issue was not raised by the US administration during Gokhale's three-day visit to Washington earlier this week. Some members of the Congress raised the issue as they have some mis-perception about it, the sources said, adding Gokhale also explained to them that the submarine will only have conventional weapons. In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under which Washington can punish countries and entities engaged in a transaction with defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. The sanctions were imposed for Moscow's alleged meddling in the US presidential election in 2016. On March 7, India sealed a $3 billion deal with Russia for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years. In October last year, India inked an agreement with Russia to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. India went ahead with the deal notwithstanding the US's warnings against it. Under the deal for submarine, Russia will have to deliver an Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. It will be the third Russian submarine to be leased to the Indian Navy. The first Russian nuclear-powered submarine -- christened INS Chakra -- was taken in 1988 under a three-year lease. A second INS Chakra was taken on lease in 2012 for a period of 10 years.

Some members of US Congress raise India's submarine deal with Russia: Sources

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US lawmakers take PM Modi's autographs, click selfies with him after joint address to Congress

Some members of US Congress raise India's submarine deal with Russia: Sources