A bipartisan resolution introduced in the US Congress congratulates the people of India on the “historic” general elections and calls for stronger US partnership with the new Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The resolution has been introduced by Republican Congressman Aaron Schock and co-sponsored by 12 lawmakers of both parties, including the chairman and ranking member of the influential House Committee on Foreign Affairs – Republican Ed Royce and Democrat Eliot Engel.
“The rise of Narendra Modi is a welcome development to freedom-loving people everywhere, and India’s historic election underscores the virtues of democracy, pro-growth economic policies, and robust international trade,” said Schock, one of the first US lawmakers to reach out to Modi with a visit to Gandhinagar last year.
Titled “Recognizing the Importance of the Historic 2014 Indian Elections”, the resolution “marks a shift in US policy and signals growing congressional support, puts forth the official position of the House of Representatives on this matter of national and global importance”, said Schock.
The Illinois Congressman spoke of Modi’s commitment to Maximum Governance and Minimum Government which, he believes, will “strengthen this relationship through more enduring diplomatic ties, mutually beneficial trade in goods and services, and cultural collaboration”.
Besides Royce and Engel, the other co-sponsors of the resolution include Republicans Peter Roskam, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Pete Sessions, Cynthia lummis, George Holding and Democrats Joseph Crowley, Ami Bera, Brad Sherman, Tulsi Gabbard and Patrick Murphy.
“When I visited India in the Spring of 2013, I saw firsthand how then Chief Minister Modi transformed the province of Gujarat with a focus on higher education, jobs and the economy,” said lummis.
Congressman Sherman said the US-India relationship is based on the shared values of democracy, individual freedom, religious pluralism and economic prosperity.
“As a senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I look forward to working with the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the U.S. government to expand the relationship between our two nations”, he added.
“I look forward to the United States and the House of Representatives working hand in hand with India under Modi’s leadership,” Representative Sessions said. Democrat Holding mooted partnership in areas as diverse as defence and healthcare.