[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 India

  Mr. President, on another matter, the President yesterday returned to 
Washington from India. The United States and India are natural allies. 
If the United States and India are close friends and partners, the 
world will be a safer, more prosperous place. India has an amazing 
culture and great people. So unifying America and India is a very good 
thing.
  But did the President do anything on his trip that substantively 
advanced that objective? No, he did not. Sadly, the President's trip to 
India was typical of foreign policy in the Trump era--a big spectacle 
with handshakes and photo-ops but without meaningful progress or 
accomplishment for the United States.
  There were real things for the President to accomplish in India. We 
are now India's largest trading partner--one of the largest markets for 
our agricultural products, medical devices, even motorbikes. Did the 
President make any progress on a trade deal to reduce the significant 
market access barriers that American companies face? No.
  India is in the midst of fierce protests over a law that restricts 
religious freedom. Did the President stand up for religious freedom and 
democratic values? No. He didn't even bring up the issue with the Prime 
Minister.
  There are 4 million Indian Americans. I am proud to say many are in 
the New York area. They have done and continued to do so much for this 
great country. Their history, music, culture, literature are woven into 
the very fabric of American life. Indian-American families form the 
backbone of so many strong communities in New York City, in Long Island 
and the suburbs, and all over the country. They deserve more than 
Presidential photo-ops in their native land. They deserve a President 
who takes the friendship between the United States and India seriously 
and works to build a strategic alliance.
  But this President cannot seem to manage anything beyond reality-show 
diplomacy, and that is why President Trump will likely end his first 
term bereft of any significant foreign policy achievement.