[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17990]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 17990]]

         SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING UNITED STATES-INDIA RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2000

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I welcome Prime Minister Atal Behari 
Vajpayee of India--the Prime Minister of a key strategic ally of the 
United States and an important partner in the struggle against 
international terrorism. Mr. Vajpayee's government has achieved 
significant economic development, modernization, and consolidation of 
democracy in India. These accomplishments are all the more impressive 
when examined in the context of the terrorism India has to cope with on 
a daily basis. It is so easy for any government to seize on such a 
threat in order to centralize power at the expense of personal 
freedoms. It is so tempting to cite foreign security threats in order 
to legitimize a military coup. However, New Delhi has elected to fight 
terrorism and develop India without infringing on the population's 
democratic rights and freedoms. And this is a major, yet unheralded, 
triumph of both Mr. Vajpayee's government and the people of India.
  To comprehend India's recent achievements one must take a closer look 
at the terrorist threat posed to India.
  Despite undeniable achievements of the Indian security forces, the 
situation in Kashmir continues to deteriorate. The forces used against 
India now include a combination of Kashmiri fighters and a growing 
number of foreign operatives.
  The terrorist threat to India goes beyond the disputed Kashmir. Only 
a couple of weeks ago, Abu Abdul Aziz, one of the key Pakistani-
sponsored Islamist leaders publicly defined the ultimate objectives of 
the Kashmiri Jihad: ``Our destination is not Kashmir. Our aim is that 
all of India be converted into a Muslim state.'' There was not a word 
of recrimination or even disassociation from Islamabad.
  In examining India's struggle against terrorism, one must remember 
the unique geo-strategic importance of the Indian sub-continent. North-
west India, including Kashmir, is located at the edge of the Arc of 
Crisis. Stretching from the Caucasus in west, through Central Asia to 
northern India and the north-western Chinese province of Xinjiang, the 
Arc of Crisis is emerging as the world's next primary reserves of oil 
and gas--the Persian Gulf of the 21st Century. The Arc of Crisis is 
also the continental gateway to China and the Far East. Long term 
stability in the Arc of Crisis is therefore an indispensable interest 
of the United States. The long and deep coast-line of the Indian 
subcontinent are crucial for the stability and safety of the maritime 
commercial traffic in the Indian Ocean--mainly between Europe, the 
Persian Gulf and East Asia. The safety of maritime commerce in the 
Indian Ocean, as well as the oil fields of the nearby South China Sea, 
are also indispensable interests of the United States and the West. A 
friendly India is the key to furthering these U.S. interests.
  Hence, India is a bulwark of regional stability and consequently a 
guardian of crucial strategic and economic interests of the United 
States and the entire West. The national interest of the United States 
is to have a strong, democratic and prosperous India as an ally and a 
partner. India can stabilize the volatile yet crucial region--ensuring 
that the strategic and economic interests of the U.S.-led West are 
furthered and not infringed upon. Moreover, the rapid economic 
development growth of India makes it a most promising trade partner 
with the United States. For example, India's burgeoning software-
developing industry is a major contributor to the U.S. computer 
industry. In the era of growing globalization, the U.S. can and should 
benefit from the Indian economic surge. However, to fully realize its 
potential, India must be free of subversion and terrorism.
  Therefore, the terrorism waged against India harm the national 
security and economic interests of the United States. Ultimately, a 
strong, democratic, and economically viable India serves and furthers 
the U.S. national interest. Hence the U.S. should stand side-by-side 
with India and cooperate in its struggle against terrorism. The U.S. 
should help the democratic goverment in New Delhi to continue and 
maintain the delicate balance between resolutely fighting terrorism and 
preserving democracy, civil rights and a rule of law for all. So far, 
the record of Mr. Vajpayee's Government has been both impressive and 
improving. The United States should applaud India for its reform 
efforts in the face of terrorism.

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