India is a critical partner in Asia and the US needs to strengthen its ties regardless of who becomes the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy, the only Indian-American Congressman Dr Ami Bera has said.
The India-US relationship "should not be tied to" one administration or government in either of the country, 48-year-old Bera, who represents seventh Congressional district in California, told PTI. "It is not just economic partnership; it is also a geo- political relationship. It is a critical partnership and touches on the complexities of South Asia. India increasingly is becoming the foundation for South Asia," he said.
A first-generation American born and raised in California, Bera is only the third ever Indian-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives. The previous two being Dalip Singh Saund (1957-63) and Bobby Jindal (2005-08). "As we look for stability in South Asia more broadly in Asia India is a critical partner. So that's not hindered on who wins the Indian elections coming up and who is the president there. That should be a partnership which should be sustainable," said Bera, whose parents immigrated to the US from Rajkot in Gujarat.
He, however, refrained from giving answers to any question on the visa issue of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, except for noting that it is for the US Government to decide. "I can't predict outcome of Indian elections. But whoever is elected as Prime Minister that person will be a leader in a country that is close to United States. So we are going to or at least I am going to respect the decision of the Indian people," said Bera, who visited India this summer.
"I think this is an exciting time for US Indian relationship. I am grateful that as the only Indian-American Congressman I can represent Indian-American Diaspora but also the reception that I received in India suggests that how important it is for the people in India to see that they representation in United States Congress," he added.
"My hope is that we grow this relationship both economically and geopolitically and see India as an important ally as we go into 21st century and beyond," Bera said in response to a question. He said his proudest moment was on January 3 this year when he was sworn in to the House of Representatives. "I could look up in the gallery and my father was out there. He could see in one generation his son gets sworn into the highest levels. That's pretty remarkable," he said, hoping to travel to India next year along with his parents to their home town of Rajkot.
Being the only serving Indian-American in the US Congress, Bera in the last one year has emerged as a source of inspiration for a large number of young Indian-Americans to contest for public offices in the US. Ready to mentor any of them who come to him for advice, Bera hoped he soon would have company in the Congress. While being focused on the development of his constituency in California, Bera said he has a vision to organize the Indian Diaspora in the US.
"I do have an obligation to help inspire that next generation and to encourage the next generation to get involved in service whether that's running for office or running for Congress or coming and working here in Capital Hill," he said. "It is intentional that my Chief of Staff is an Indian American. She is the only Indian American Chief of Staff at the Capitol Hill. I think that's important. She can be a role model to younger Indian American staffers," he added.
India, he said, is the anchor of stability in South Asia. Being the most vibrant economy of the region, India is starting to make transition from a donor recipient country to becoming a donor nation, he added. "You see India making investments in Africa and help. So that's the transition from developing economy to developed economy. We can help that. That strengthens our relationship. Because more the partners United States has around the world, as we are trying to move the world forward, the better off we all are," he said.