Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is calling for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States.
In an address to the US Congress on Wednesday Modi stressed the importance of warming ties between the two countries, while dedicating much of the speech to the importance of fighting terrorism, thanking Congress for US support after a Pakistan-based military group's rampage in Mumbai killed 166 people in 2008.
"The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels. And the traditional tools of military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight," Modi told a rare joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives.
He leavened the speech to lawmakers, the first such address by an international leader since Pope Francis' in September, with jokes about Congress' bitter partisan divide and yoga.
But Modi used it to make serious points about India's neighbour and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism.
"I commend the members of the US Congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains," he said, not mentioning either country by name.
In a speech interrupted by cheers and at least eight standing ovations, Modi said deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists.
Although he did not mention Pakistan, the line was greeted with applause from politicians, many of whom are increasingly frustrated with what they see as Islamabad's failure to crack down on militants behind attacks on American troops in Afghanistan.
Modi also stressed that India is committed to helping rebuild a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
At a time of heightened regional tensions over China's actions in the South China Sea, Modi said a stronger US-India partnership could boost peace and prosperity "from Asia to Africa and from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific" but did not mention China.
House Speaker Paul Ryan greeted Modi at his office before his speech.
Modi is on the US leg of an international tour.
On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House, where the two leaders announced India would work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year and discussed security and cybersecurity issues.
