Says she is ready to work with new Indian government.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Tulsi Gabbard, the first (and currently only) Hindu member of the US Congress, released a statement on Wednesday commending India on the conclusion of its democratic elections.
“I congratulate the people of India on successfully concluding the world’s largest democratic election, and look forward to constructive dialogue with the new government,” said Gabbard’s statement.
“These elections, with record voter turnout, are an inspiring affirmation of our shared democratic tradition. The U.S.-India partnership is key to pursuing peace, stability, and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, and to successfully addressing a wide range of global challenges,” Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, also added.
India’s five-week election came to a close earlier this week, and the announcement of the winners is less than a day away. The election is one that the US has undoubtedly paid close attention to, as the future of the US-India relationship will likely hinge on who India elects as its next Prime Minister.
And for the past several weeks, all signs have been pointing to BJP candidate Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, as winning that title. The US and Modi have an infamously rocky relationship, as Modi has repeatedly been denied a visa to enter the US because of allegations that he was, in part, responsible for the violent 2002 Gujarat riots.
But that has shown signs of changing. Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal, during her trip to India in March, told Indian government officials that the US will work with whoever India elects as its new Prime Minister. The US also has the opportunity to appoint a new Ambassador to India that Modi and India’s new government can get along with, as Modi and previous Ambassador Nancy Powell had an icy relationship.
Gabbard’s comments don’t specifically address Modi, or even the Prime Minister’s office, but it seems more apparent than ever that Modi and the BJP will be leading India. The US will have to make amends and work with the party and its divisive new leader to repair relations between the two democracies.
The results of India’s 2014 Lok Sabha elections will be announced on Friday, May 16.
1 Comment
Dear Tulsi, you are our pride.. Now u need to take a very proactive role to strengthen the relationship between these 2 powerful countries. Most of the Indians/Hindus across the world consider you as another awakened Hindu soul in American soil to discharge duty towards the the humanity.