[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING UNITED STATES-INDIA RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2000

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the year 2000 has been a great year for 
those of us actively involved in building and promoting relations 
between the United States and India. This week, I am proud to welcome 
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Washington. The Prime 
Minister's visit comes months after President Clinton made a similar 
visit to India. I was fortunate to join the President on that historic 
visit.
  While here in Washington, the Prime Minister will focus on economic 
relations between the two countries, as well as the role of the Indian-
American community as a bridge between the two democracies.
  Since the early 1990's, I have been advocating for the U.S. to build 
a long-term and enduring relationship with India. This relationship 
makes sense since both countries share common democratic traditions. 
Portions of India's constitution were modeled after the U.S. 
constitution, and both countries share the same views of freedom of 
expression, protection of individual rights and a vitality of the 
political process.
  India and the U.S. have forged close economic and commercial links. 
India represents enormous opportunities for U.S. firms to make new 
investments and enter new markets. Good relations with India can only 
increase the economic ties we currently have. A strong economy in India 
is a basis for lifting people out of poverty and for creating a strong 
democratic base.
  The two countries also have become linked as centers of scientific 
and technological innovation. In the fast-changing world of high 
technology, the U.S. and India have already begun sharing process of 
information, of skills and of people who provide great benefits for 
consumers in both countries. India has a highly trained corps of 
software engineers whose talents are being utilized here and in India.
  Both countries, victims of terrorism in the past, have teamed up to 
establish a Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism, which should 
enhance the effectiveness of both nations' efforts to combat terrorism 
worldwide.
  As the region's only democracy, India will play a major role in 
security issues throughout Asia for years to come. I have believed for 
some time that India should receive a permanent seat on the United 
Nation's Security Council and am anxious to hear from the Prime 
Minister if there were any new developments while he was in New York 
last week. Providing this seat to India will help make the world a 
safer place.
  While I was in India with the President earlier this year, I was 
fortunate to attend the signing ceremony in Agra of an historic 
agreement to promote cooperation in the areas of clean energy and the 
environment between our two countries. This agreement marks a major 
step toward promoting clean energy in India and protecting India's and 
our global environment. As part of this agreement, joint trade and 
investment efforts will promote clean energy technologies in India.
  India and the U.S. also are conducting joint public-private 
partnerships in the energy sector. In fact, one New Jersey utility, 
PSEG, is on the verge of signing an agreement with the Indian 
government to carry out just such a partnership. This utility also is 
exploring creative methods for improving the electric supply and system 
reliability with partners in Karnataka. These types of efforts will 
promote clean energy technologies and help India avoid the pollution we 
experienced with our industrial development. India does not need to 
sacrifice its economic growth because its local businesses will 
conserve energy and improve their ``bottom lines''. I look forward to 
working with the Prime Minister during this week's visit to further 
these efforts between India and the U.S. to conserve resources, improve 
energy supply, and protect our environment.
  As the founder and past Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India 
and Indian-Americans, as well as the Representative for one of the 
largest Indian-American communities in the country, I am excited by the 
developments of the past year between our two countries. It is my hope 
that Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit will strengthen relations between 
the world's two greatest democracies.

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