[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 186 (Friday, October 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REMARKS ON THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNION TERRITORY OF JAMMU 
                              AND KASHMIR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. A. DREW FERGUSON IV

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 30, 2020

  Mr. FERGUSON. Madam Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to meet 
with India's Consulate General Dr. Swati V. Kulkarni to discuss the 
bilateral relationship between India and the United States, and I rise 
today to recognize the critical importance of this relationship with 
our ally, India.
  In any part of the world, Madam Speaker, individuals and families 
need to feel safe when they leave their homes and go to work. Terrorist 
groups need to be strongly opposed in all forms. Without question, 
India is a strong partner in the fight against international terrorism. 
As a part of this pursuit, the Indian Government recently repealed 
Article 370--a temporary Article of the Indian Constitution that forced 
citizens of Jammu-Kashmir to live under different laws than all other 
Indians. It was meant to be a stopgap measure since this region's 
government had yet to be formed.
  Madam Speaker, this measure hindered the application of progressive 
federal laws of the Indian Government. As a result, Pakistani-based 
terrorist organizations conducted terrorist activities that accounted 
for thousands of innocent lives being lost and detrimentally impacted 
economic opportunities in the region. In August of 2019, both Houses of 
the Indian parliament voted to end the temporary status of Article 370 
in order to bring peace, stability, and the opportunity to chart out 
better futures to the people of the region.
  I applaud the current steps taken by Prime Minister Modi to boost 
economic development, fight terrorism, and fight corruption. These 
steps forward are good for the long-term stability of Jammu-Kashmir and 
we should support the Indian Government in this endeavor.

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