Top US lawmakers pledge to strengthen India-US relationship

Washington, Jun 12: Cutting across party lines, top American lawmakers have pledged to strengthen Indo-US strategic ties and take them to a new level as they believe mutual misgivings have given way to benefits in economic and security spheres.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the joint sitting of the US Congress on Wednesday, he has struck a personal rapport with the lawmakers, engaging with them directly on social media.

Lawmakers have spoken both on the floors of the US House of Representatives and the Senate as well as outside about working towards strengthening bilateral relations.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said mutual misgivings had given way to mutual benefits in both the economic and security spheres.

"We are now key trading partners. We are the two largest democracies in the world. Our relationship is an important one, and there are more benefits that can be shared from future cooperation," he said.

"One of his messages, besides what a great democracy America is and what a great democracy India is, is that we have to think about the future. And we can tap the American ingenuity and what we have already done to clean air and grow business at the same time," said Congresswoman Kathy Castor. Senate Minority leader Senator Harry Reid said he told everyone about his warmness for India.

"The second largest Muslim population in the world is in India. So it is a friend that we have, and we must maintain that friendship," he said. Senator John Corny said Modi's speech reflected how far the two countries have come in such a relatively short period of time.

"When Prime Minister Modi spoke he talked about his vision for his country's future, including deepening and broadening the relationship with the United States. That is a very welcome statement by the Prime Minister," he said.

"Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of 3 million Indian Americans. Threats of terror are expanding, and new challenges are emerging in cyber and outer space. India is undergoing a profound social and economic change," said Congressman Joe Wilson on the House floor.

He said a commitment to rebuild a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was "our shared objective." "In every sector of India's forward march, I see the US as an indispensable partner," he said.

PTI

MRJ