SCHAKOWSKY PRAISES GROWING U.S.-INDIA PARTNERSHIP; DELIVERS STATEMENT AS PRIME MINISTER SINGH MAKES FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO U.S.
Press Release
JULY 19, 2005
SCHAKOWSKY PRAISES GROWING U.S.-INDIA PARTNERSHIP
DELIVERS STATEMENT AS PRIME MINISTER SINGH MAKES FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) today delivered a statement in the House of Representatives praising the recent progress of U.S.-India relations, following a speech by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to a joint session of Congress. Representative Schakowsky is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and represents a substantial number of Indian Americans who reside in the 9th Congressional District.
The full text of Representative Schakowsky's statement is below:
"Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the visit of the Prime Minister of India on the occasion of his visit to Washington. Prime Minister Singh's visit to the United States is the first by a national Indian leader since that of Prime Minister Vajpayee in November 2001. The Prime Minister's visit comes at a critical moment for relations between the United States and India. The 21st Century has brought our democracies together as partners with shared priorities."
"The United States and India share the values of democracy and diversity and are building a vital economic and strategic partnership. As the world's most populous democracy, India is an important ally of the United States. Like the United States, India draws much of its democratic strength from its diversity. Dr. Manmohan Singh's election as Prime Minister, the first time a Sikh has been elected to this office, demonstrates that diversity. The United States and India also share the priorities of promoting global stability and combating terrorism around the globe, promoting trade and democracy, developing new technology, and combating the spread of HIV and other global health pandemics."
"Relations between the United States and India are particularly important to the residents of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. We have a dynamic Indian American community in the 9th Congressional District that has shared Indian culture with our residents and made a strong contribution to our economy. While these Indian Americans are now residents and citizens of the U.S., many of them still have family in India. The close, friendly relationship developing between our countries is important to Indian Americans in my district, and beneficial to all Americans and Indians. As a member of the Congressional India Caucus, I've been pleased to see the relations between our countries improve."
"I had the honor of accompanying President Clinton to India in March of 2000 - the first time a U.S. President traveled to India since President Carter in 1978. That trip also served a greater purpose. President Clinton's trip to Asia represented a major initiative by that Administration and members of Congress to set U.S.-India relations on a new level of increased cooperation across a broad spectrum of issues. President Clinton and Prime Minister Vajpayee agreed in a vision statement to institutionalize dialogue between our two countries through regular bilateral 'summits.' In the years following that trip, many aspects of the vision statement have been realized and our countries have drawn closer together."
"Since 1991, the United States and India have forged close economic relations. As India has liberalized its economy, it has become a more important trading partner for the United States. India has invested both in its businesses and its workers, fighting poverty while growing its economy at a steady, sustainable rate. Our economic relationship with India is sure to expand in the time to come."
"India is an important strategic partner to the United States. After our country was attacked on September 11th, India quickly rushed to America's side to offer its full support to combat the terrorists and use of its bases for counterterrorism operations. India is a critical ally of geopolitical importance to the United States on the Asian continent. India is a partner in our efforts to work towards a more peaceful world, and has recently taken encouraging steps towards peace with Pakistan. The growing military partnership between the United States and India is a sign of our shared strategic priorities."
"While India faces many challenges today, such as continued mass poverty and an HIV/AIDS epidemic, I will work closely with the Indian American community in my district, with my colleagues on the India Caucus and in the Congress as a whole to ensure that the United States continues to support India as it faces those challenges that threaten its development."
"Mr. Speaker, I thank Prime Minister Singh for continuing to strengthen the relationship between the United States and India. A close relationship between our countries will help promote security, peace, and economic prosperity around the globe."