Key US lawmakers advocate stronger India-US ties

Join AAPI celebration of India’s 75th independence anniversary on Capitol Hill

Saying a strong India means a strong US, influential US lawmakers have vowed to work towards strengthening the relationship between the world’s two largest democracies at a time when the world is facing numerous challenges.

Key US senators and congressmen from both sides of the aisle joined the celebrations of 75th anniversary of India’s Independence of India — Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav — organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) on Capitol Hill on Sep 21.

Read: AAPI to celebrate India Day on Capitol Hill (August 30, 2022)

They also praised the contributions and achievements of physicians of Indian origin and the larger Indian American community as a celebration of India that has emerged as a model and strong democracy on the world stage, according to a press release.

Recalling his visits to India, Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, said he saw “the greatness of the largest democracy in the world in full action.”

Lauding the contributions of physicians of Indian origin, he noted that a major section of healthcare service in the rural US is provided by Indian American doctors.

“Had it not been for the Indian community that came to West Virginia to provide their services, most of rural West Virginia would not have health care today,” Manchin said.

“The relationship between the United States and India is mutually beneficial for both of the countries and not just in the field of medicine and technology,” said Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi.

Republican Senator Shelley Capito from West Virginia noted how the Indian American community is playing a key role in enriching the cultural experience of her state.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, co-chair of India Caucus in the House, said India and America have the potential to build on shared values. “India has a major role to play in world peace, stabilizing world,” he added.

Read: Connecticut General Assembly honors India for its 75th anniversary (August 12, 2022)

Describing Indo-US partnership as “strategic relationship” Rep. Michael Guest from Mississippi said, “We work together to protect freedom and democracies. We work together for the greater good of humanity.”

India and the US are strategic partners and Indian Americans are the key assets in the India-US relationship, said Congressman Ted Deutch.

“US India relationship is more critical than ever for the world,” said Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna asserting “India should not be subject to (CAATSA) sanctions because of its historic relationship with Russia.”

Praising the recent messaging of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Russian leadership that “today’s era is not of war,” Khanna said India can play a critical role in a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the first and only Indian American Congresswoman, said India and the US, despite being a world apart, have shared a very unique and important relationship over the years.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the Indian American community needs to make its presence known. Imploring more Indian Americans to run for office, Krishnamoorthi told the Capitol Hill gathering, “If you are not at the table, you will be on the menu.”

In his keynote address India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said that there is a close connection between the two nations that is driven by the leadership of the two largest democracies of the world.

“The success of the Indian American community as professionals – doctors, technocrats, scientists and, entrepreneurs, has been an inspiration to many of us in India,” he said.

“And today, support of this community is vital to us” in forging a much stronger relationship with the US even as they enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavor, Sandhu said.

Earlier, Dr. Sampat Shivangi, chair of AAPI legislative committee, told the gathering, “It is a proud moment for every Indian, living in every part of the world to see the progress that our motherland has achieved since its independence 75 years ago.”

Read: AAPI Will Celebrate India Day At Capitol Hill In Washington DC, USA (August 30, 2022)

In his welcome address, Dr. Ravi Kolli, president of AAPI, said, “We are proud to be part of this historic celebration of India on Capitol Hill, where we will have an opportunity to exchange views and express our concerns with the dozens of US Lawmakers, who will come to be part of the celebrations.”

Dr. Anjana Samadder, president-elect of AAPI said, “The celebrations on the Hill provided us with a forum to facilitate and enable Indian American physicians share our concerns with the lawmakers in pursuit of our aspirations in matters relating to professional and community affairs.