Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called the United States India’s “natural ally” and made a pointed comment about terrorism without actually mentioning Pakistan. Modi, speaking for 45 minutes in the House Chamber, said the members of the US Congress had sent a message to those who support terrorism by not rewarding them, referring to the US lawmakers’ objection to the country’s F-16 fighter jets deal with Pakistan.

Modi also made strong statements about ties between the two countries, which some said were more emphatic than the stands taken by many Indian Prime Ministers in the past. According to The Indian Express, Modi used the word “partnership” 13 times during his speech, and the last Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had only done so half the number of times. Modi used Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s phrase, “natural allies" to refer to India and the US, saying the two countries had common objectives including security in the Indian Ocean and science and technology cooperation.

The speech was met with multiple rounds of applause and some standing ovations. Modi has been in the US as part of his five-nation tour, which ends on Thursday. Watch the full speech below:

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