Bipartisan resolution in US Congress calls for stronger ties with India
The resolution, introduced by Ami Bera and Joe Wilson in the House of Representatives, underlined decades of deepening cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies in critical sectors such as defense, technology, trade, counterterrorism and education. It also highlights India’s vital role in supporting regional stability, economic growth and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
It attracted 24 original co-sponsors, Republicans and Democrats, including Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rich McCormick, Deborah Ross, Rob Wittman, Josh Gottheimer, James Moylan, Brad Schneider, Young Kim, Sanford Bishop, Buddy Carter, Shri Thanedar, David Schweikert, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Michael Baumgartner, Suhas Subramanyam. Bill Huizenga, Brad Sherman, Don Bacon, Marc Veasey, Andy Barr, Ed Case and Jay Obernolte.
The resolution noted India’s contribution to regional stability, economic growth and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“For more than three decades, US policy under the administrations of Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden has been to strengthen the strategic partnership with India, recognizing the importance of India to regional stability, democratic governance, economic growth and common regional priorities,” the report said.
He recalled major milestones in the relationship, including the 2004 Next Step in Strategic Partnership, which initiated cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, defense and high technology, and the 2005 Civil Nuclear Cooperation declaration, which led to the 2006 Henry J Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act and the 2003 United States-India 123 Agreement. The decision also drew attention to the contribution between people. It was also underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at joint meetings of Congress twice, in 2016 under the chairmanship of Speaker Paul D Ryan and in 2023 under the chairmanship of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, reflects bipartisan support for the partnership.
The decision encouraged increased engagement through the Quartet, increased participation in economic initiatives and deeper defence, trade and investment ties.
It also called for continued cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including the speedy prosecution of the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The resolution affirms the importance of technology collaboration through initiatives such as the United States-India Strategic Transforming the Relationship Using Technology and highlights the need to expand people-to-people programs, especially among educational institutions. It expresses appreciation for the contributions of the Indo-American diaspora and the goal of building closer relations between the two countries.
