Modi Not to Address U.S. Congress

"The scheduling conflict could be perceived as yet another slight by the U.S. government at a time of slumping U.S.-India relations," wrote the Foreign Policy which first broke the story about the Boehner letter.

"This is disappointing news for many in India and the United States who hoped that a U.S. invitation to address Congress would be a historic chance to strengthen ties," wrote the Diplomat noting "U.S. Congress Misses Historic Chance to Honour India's Modi."

However, the U.S. India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) which had launched a two-month long campaign to urge Boehner to invite Modi gave a positive spin to the development. After a meeting with Boehner, "the USINPAC membership came away with an exceptional understanding that the journey - building a case for an enduring bilateral relationship - has been more important than the destination," it said.

But Brad Sherman, a senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and 87 other House this week again urged the House leadership to keep Congress in session from Sep 29 to Oct 2 to "afford Prime Minister Modi an opportunity to address a joint session during his visit."

Meanwhile, the Indian American Community Foundation plans to host Modi at a special event being held on Sep 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York to provide him a platform to officially address the Indian-American community in the U.S..

A large number of U.S. lawmakers are expected to attend the event which may be live streamed in a dozen cities across the U.S., including Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Boston, Tampa, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley.

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