[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 101 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED 
                    STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. 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.

                          ____________________