[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 106 (Tuesday, September 12, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H7491-H7493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING UNITED STATES-INDIA RELATIONS
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 572) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that it is in the interest of both the United States
and the Republic of India to expand and strengthen United States-India
relations, intensify bilateral cooperation in the fight against
terrorism, and broaden the ongoing dialogue between the United States
and India, of which the upcoming visit to the United States of the
Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is a significant step.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 572
Whereas the United States and the Republic of India are two
of the world's largest democracies that together represent
one-fifth of the world's population and more than one-fourth
of the world's economy;
Whereas the United States and India share common ideals and
a vision for the 21st century, where freedom and democracy
are the strongest foundations for peace and prosperity;
Whereas in keeping with this vision India has given refuge
to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Burmese refugees fleeing
repression in Burma, and is a refuge for people in the region
struggling for their basic human rights;
Whereas the United States and India are partners in peace
with common interests in and complementary responsibility for
ensuring international security and regional peace and
stability;
Whereas the United States and India are allies in the cause
of democracy, sharing our experience in nurturing and
strengthening democratic institutions throughout the world
and fighting the challenge to democratic order from forces
such as terrorism;
Whereas the growing partnership between the United States
and India is reinforced by the ties of scholarship, commerce,
and increasingly of kinship among our people;
Whereas the industry, enterprise, and cultural
contributions of Americans of Indian heritage have enriched
and enlivened the societies of both the United States and
India; and
Whereas the bonds of friendship between the United States
and India can be deepened and strengthened through
cooperative programs in areas such as education, science and
technology, information technology, finance and investment,
trade, agriculture, energy, the fight against poverty,
improving the environment, infrastructure development, and
the eradication of human suffering, disease, and poverty:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that--
(1) the United States and the Republic of India should
continue to expand and strengthen bilateral security,
economic, and political ties for the mutual benefit of both
countries, and for the maintenance of peace, stability, and
prosperity in South Asia;
(2) the United States should consider removing existing
unilateral legislative and administrative measures imposed
against India, which prevent the normalization of United
States-India bilateral economic and trade relations;
(3) established institutional and collaborative mechanisms
between the United States and India should be maintained and
enhanced to further a robust partnership between the two
countries;
(4) it is vitally important that the United State and India
continue to share information and intensify their cooperation
in combating terrorism; and
(5) the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of India, Atal
Bihari Vajpayee, to the United States is a significant step
toward broadening and deepening the friendship and
cooperation between United States and India.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
General Leave
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 572.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced H. Res. 572, along with
the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), a resolution expressing
the sense of the House of Representatives that it is in the interest of
both our Nation and India to expand and strengthen U.S.- India
relations. To intensify bilateral cooperation in our fight against
terrorism and to broaden the ongoing dialogue between the United States
and India, of which the upcoming visit to the United States of the
Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is a significant step.
This coming Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee will
address a joint session of the Congress. His historic visit comes at a
precious moment in U.S.-Indian relations. The world's two largest and
most vibrant democracies are in the process of creating a relationship
that truly reflects our mutual interests.
Both of our governments are dedicated to the protection of the rule
of law, to democracy, and to freedom of religion. Our citizens share a
fervent faith in these core values. It is also why India and the United
States see eye to eye on so many regional concerns.
China's hegemony, the spread of Islamic terrorism spilling out of
Afghanistan and Pakistan, the narco-dictatorship in Burma, China's
illegal occupation of Tibet, are serious concerns to both of our
nations.
[[Page H7492]]
During this past summer, the world was horror stricken when Islamic
terrorists gunned down some 101 Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir. The massacre
came only 2 weeks after the largest militant Kashmiri group Hezb-ul
Mujahadeen called for a cease-fire. The killings apparently were
intended to sabotage any attempt to peacefully broker a settlement to
the Kashmir crisis.
All of us were outraged by the brutal barbaric killings of innocent
civilians. Such malicious extraordinary violence reinforces my
conviction that India and the United States must develop a much closer
military and intelligence relationship. A special relationship is
needed so that we can share our knowledge and skills in order to
successfully confront our mutual enemies who wish to destroy the basic
principles of our societies.
Regrettably, the State Department has confused our friends and allies
in Asia by promoting a strategic partnership with China and by ignoring
the fact that Beijing, in violation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty, transfers and sells nuclear and ballistic weapons technology to
Pakistan, a nation that has been spreading terrorism throughout South
Asia by supporting the Taliban and other repressive forces.
China has also sold billions of dollars of arms to the narco-
dictatorship in Burma that borders on India. We need to lift the
remaining economic sanctions that were imposed on India for testing
nuclear weapons. As long as the State Department permits China to go
unchecked and it continues to stoke the fires in South Asia, India will
need to be able to defend itself.
India's Prime Minister's address to Congress this week will afford
all of us, all Members of the House and Senate, the opportunity to hear
about the issues of importance and the U.S.-India bilateral
relationship, including trade, energy, investment, science, information
technology, as well as our cooperative efforts to combat terrorism and
to achieve regional peace and security in South Asia, a region of prime
importance to our national interests.
As the current Indian government works to ensure that India remains
secure, our democracy should be marching shoulder to shoulder with her
during this new century. So I look forward to meeting with the prime
minister and working closely with him and his government on initiatives
that bring peace and prosperity to India and to Asia and even stronger
bonds of friendship between our two nations. Accordingly, I urge all of
our colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, while it is just morning in India, it is rather late in
the evening here, so I will be brief. A few folks watching at home
include my son, Ari, who stayed up to hear this debate. And I am sorry
to see the chairman engage in some gratuitous assaults on the
administration, because, indeed, it is President Clinton who lead the
recent trip to India and really welding together these two great
democracies.
And while Congress and many of the people in government, executive
and legislative, had not recognized for a long time the important bond
between India and the United States and Connecticut with the leadership
of Chet Bowles, twice ambassador to India, the Congressman from my
district, when I was a young man and a governor of the State of
Connecticut, he understood even then how important this relationship
between the United States and India was.
The present ambassador at work for Chester Bowles is doing a fine job
there, as the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) pointed out. This
Thursday we will have an address by the Prime Minister of India, an
address that will be greeted in this House by near bipartisan support
and approval.
As we have ended the confrontation with the old Soviet Union, the
natural bonds between our two democracies continue to build a stronger
and stronger relationship. The United States is India's largest trading
partner. The Americans in this country and Indians from abroad who have
come here have built a stronger and stronger relationship, and as
Indian-Americans have felt more a part of our society, they have helped
build that bridge between the United States and India.
This visit by the Prime Minister is a visit that will take us to the
next level, bringing America's attention squarely focused on India and
the shared values we have in democracy fighting terrorism, confronting
infectious diseases, and helping develop democracy around the globe.
India truly is a marvelous example of people. Consider about a billion
people, half of them very poor, still they sustain a civil society that
most countries in the world have not yet attained.
Mr. Speaker, I join with the gentleman's statements, at least part of
the gentleman's statement, and that is commending the President for
having gone to India, commending the Prime Minister for coming here.
And I can assure him and the Indian people that there will be no head
of state that gets a warmer and friendlier greeting from the American
people and from this Congress than the Prime Minister of India will
get.
Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and yield
myself as much time as I may consume.
On Thursday, September 14th, the United States Congress will meet in
a rare joint session to hear from the prime Minister of India. It is
appropriate that Prime Minister Vajpayee should be accorded this honor.
After all, world's largest democracy and the world's oldest have much
in common. India is one of our most important and strategic
relationships.
The visit of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the U.S.
provides an opportunity for a further broadening and deepening of the
bilateral relationship.
With the end of the Cold War and the subsequent liberalization of the
Indian economy, U.S.-India relations have steadily improved. President
Clinton was enthusiastically received when he visited India in March,
2000. During that visit, the two leaders set forth the framework for a
new partnership between our two countries in the Joint Vision
Statement.
The Prime Minister's visit provides us with an important opportunity
to further the goals of the Vision Statement.
The U.S. is India's largest trading partner and largest investor.
Home to one-fifth of the world's population, India continues to reduce
and eliminate barriers to trade, and U.S. investment has grown from
$500 million per year in 1991 to over $15 billion in 1999.
The Asian Development Bank has forecast a 7 percent growth in GDP for
India over the next two years in light of India's stable government,
proposed structural reforms and proven ability to capitalize on the
global technology revolution.
The Clinton administration has identified India as one of the world's
10 major emerging markets. The waiver of economic sanctions by the U.S.
and the opening up of the insurance sector in India are likely to
further increase foreign direct investment in India.
India is a vital U.S. ally in the fight against global terrorism.
Because there are significant links between terrorists groups operating
in India and those targeting the U.S., the U.S.-India Joint Working
Group on Counter-Terrorism was recently founded to coordinate
antiterrorism efforts and share intelligence information. In the same
manner that the United States and India have forged strong economic and
commercial links, so too must we strengthen our partnership for peace
and build a comprehensive regime to counter terrorism.
The million-strong Indian-American community in the U.S. provides a
strong bond between India and the U.S. Indian-Americans have made
immeasurable contributions to our country and are a vital part of
communities from San Francisco to Miami and every where in between--
even, I am proud to note, in my home state of Connecticut.
Indian Americans, who have organized themselves into a large number
of associations and organizations, are playing an important role in
deepening and strengthening cooperation between India and the United
States.
As the President stated in his March 22 address to the Parliament of
India, ``India and America are natural allies, two nations conceived in
liberty, each finding strength in its diversity, each seeing in the
other a reflection of its own aspiration for a more humane and just
world.''
It is essential for the United States and India--the world's two
largest democracies--to strengthen our growing bonds of friendship.
I urge my colleagues to support the House Resolution to welcome Prime
Minister Vajpayee to the United States and encourage a robust U.S.-
India partnership.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.Res. 572, of which I
am a cosponsor. Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee's state visit this
[[Page H7493]]
week caps off a special year in U.S.-India relations that began with
President Clinton's March visit to India. The Prime Minister's visit
provides another excellent opportunity for the U.S. and India to
advance further our rapidly improving and mutually beneficial
relationship.
I want to commend Speaker Hastert for inviting the Prime Minister to
share his vision of India's relationship with the U.S. with members of
the House and Senate. Thursday's speech will be the first congressional
address by a foreign leader in over two years. This address will be an
especially significant moment for the over 100 members of the
Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, who have worked
hard on legislation affecting India.
I had the privilege of traveling to India with the President, and saw
firsthand the country's vitality and the desire by the Indian people to
develop a closer relationship with America. In New Delhi, President
Clinton and Prime Minister Vajpayee signed a joint statement on
``India-U.S. Relations: A Vision for the 21st Century.'' This is an
important statement, coming after years of American indifference toward
India. It is important that we treat this statement as a living
document, working to ensure that its vision becomes reality.
The joint statement includes a pledge ``to reduce impediments to
bilateral trade and investment and to expand commerce'' between our two
countries. The U.S. is now not only the largest investor in India, it
is also India's largest trading partner, with trade between the two
countries totaling nearly $13 billion.
The Prime Minister's state visit will also be a larger opportunity to
highlight the great economic and cultural contributions of all Indo-
Americans, who act as a valuable bridge between our two countries. I
join my colleagues in welcoming the Prime Minister and look forward to
his speech before members of the House and the Senate.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to join my colleagues, the
Distinguished Chairman and the ranking Democratic member of the
International Relations Committee in welcoming to the United States the
Honorable Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee.
On behalf of Illinois' Indian American community and the people of
Illinois in the 9th Congressional District, I want to express a most
sincere welcome and best wishes for an enjoyable and meaningful visit
to Prime Minister Vajpayee.
As my colleagues and the Prime Minister are aware, the Chicago
Metropolitan area boasts one of our country's most diverse populations,
including a thriving Indian-American community of over 100,000 that is
growing every year. As a member of Congress who values the relationship
between our two nations and recognizes the significance of Prime
Minister Vajpayee's visit, I believe this is an opportunity to
strengthen relations between India and our country even further. The
Prime Minister's visit also gives the Indian American community a
chance to showcase its contributions to American society and to the
U.S.-India dialogue.
I was fortunate to be one of eight members of Congress privileged to
join President Clinton on his historic trip to India earlier this year.
That was such an incredible and valuable experience for me, one which I
learned from and which has helped me to understand the rich history and
cultural traditions of a great number of my constituents who are of
Indian descent.
I was so touched and honored by the warm reception the President's
delegation received. I know that we will all do our best to reciprocate
so that Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit is greeted with the honor and
respect it deserves.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Vajpayee will address a joint session of
Congress. This will be the first address to a joint session of Congress
by an Indian Prime Minister in six years and the only address by a
world leader to the 106th Congress.
It is important that on this historic occasion, Congress sends a
strong message on the importance of our relationship with India in such
critical areas as trade, national security, health, science and
technology and education. The friendship between our people has never
been stronger and the relationship between our governments has reached
a new height of cooperation. That is why I am a proud original
cosponsor of H. Res. 572. The resolution expresses the Sense of the
Congress that the United States and India should continue to work
together.
I urge all members to vote in support of it, and on behalf of myself,
my family and my constituents, I offer a wholehearted and gracious
welcome to Prime Minister Vajpayee.
Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 572.
The question was taken.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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