M A I N   N E W S

India caucus in USA at work
From Hari Jaisingh

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 — The India caucus among American law makers has indeed come a long way in the seven years of its existence with both Democratic and Republic Congressmen increasingly realising the potential of enlarging ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

With India emerging as a regional power, US Congressmen irrespective of their party affiliation are slowly but surely exerting pressure on the incumbent of the White House that New Delhi cannot be ignored in the global scheme of things.

Cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan is in sharp focus as it is hurting American interests. Then, the powerful US industry views India as a phenomenal market in the years to come. There is discernible opinion building up that India should have a place in the Security Council of the revamped United Nations.

An increased appreciation about India has also come about because of the upwardly mobile and active American Indians who have made a mark in American society be it the information technology sector or as professionals.

Despite the political predilections of Congressmen quite a few of whom have American Indians as their constituents, there is a marked change in their approach towards India as is evidenced in the pursuit of their goals and objectives.

Following is a sampling list of US Congresspersons who have impressed the Bill Clinton administration not to overlook India in Washington’s scheme of things in the new millennium:

*Dennis Hastert — Republican from Illinois. Elected in 1986; serving his seventh term. He is the Speaker of the House. Even though he is not an active advocate of India’s concerns, Hastert was responsible for inviting Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to address a joint session of the Congress. He spoke positively of strengthening Indo-US relations. Though not a large one, Hastert has an Indian American constituency of about 2500.

*Benjamin Gilman — Republican from New York. He is the Chairman of the House International Relations Committee. He has written several letters along with colleague Sam Gejdenson to the Clinton administration urging renewed Indo-US relations. He has extended support to India’s aspirations of being a member of the UN Security Council. A strong supporter of India and Indian-American related issues.

*Doug Bertner — Republican from Nebraska. He is the chairman of the International Relations subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. He firmly believes in having economic linkages between India and the USA. He has co-sponsored a House resolution condemning Pakistan’s intrusion in Kargil. He is pushing for unilateral US removal of economic sanctions against India and Pakistan clamped in 1998.

*Edward Royce — Republican from California. He supports closer Indo-US economic ties. He is a critic of China’s proliferation of nuclear technology to countries like Pakistan. He was key American law maker within the Republican leadership to bring the Prime Minister’s address invitation to fruition. He has a large Indian constituency of nearly 7600.

*Gary Ackerman — Democrat from New York. He was elected in 1983. He is in his eighth 8th term. As Cochairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, he was in the vanguard of opposing the Burton and Goodling amendments calling for a moratorium on US aid to India. He pushed and cosponsored the 1999 India and Kargil resolutions. He is openly critical of Pakistani backed insurgency movements in Jammu and Kashmir.

*Robert Menendez — Democrat from New Jersey. He is an influential member of the subcommittee on International Economic Trade. He shares India’s concerns. He has signed several letters favourable to India. He is also a critic of the Burton amdendments. He is the deputy whip and has some 8000 Indian Americans in his constituency and is an active member of the India Caucus.

*Tom Lantos — Democrat from California. He is a constant signatory to Indian related issues. He is at times critical of alleged human rights violations in India. He wrote a letter to Mr Vajpayee expressing concern for the members of the Christian community.

*Sherrod Brown — Democrat from Ohio. A founding member of the India Caucus. An open critic of China and undemocratic practices in Pakistan. He has also spoken on issue concerning human rights violations in Kashmir and the activities of the Council of Khalistan. Visited India last in 1996 and had a meeting with the then Opposition leader Atal Behari Vajpayee. In 1997, attended Mother Teresa’s funeral. Wants stronger economic and cultural ties with India.

*Nancy Pelosi — Democrat from California. She is a strong voice against China. A member of the Influential appropriations committee, she has opposed the Burton Amendments and been a supporter of Indian causes.

*Rush Hoit — Democrat from New Jersey. He is in his first term. As a freshman Democrat, he is working on the patients bill of rights that is closely monitored and worked on by Indian American physicians associations. He has a sizeable Indian American population of close to 10,000.

*Edward Royce — Republican from California. Royce advocates closer Indo-Us economic ties. He is a critic of China’s proliferation of nuclear technology to countries like Pakistan. He was instrumental in working within the Republican leadership to bring about the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington.

*Tom Campbell — Republican from California. He represents part of the Silicon Valley, high-technology district. He wants strong economic ties between emerging markets and the US. He is soft on immigration matters than most of his party colleagues. He supports India but bows to influence of Pakistani constituents on Kashmir related disputes and favours US mediation.

*Tom Lantos — Democrat from California. He is a regular signatory to Indian related issues. Sometimes critical of alleged human rights violations in India, he has singed the letter to the Prime Minister expressing concern for the Christian communities.

*Howard Berman — Democrat from California. Proponent of US aid delivered without ideological considerations but opposed warming relations with China. A strong supporter of India and Indian-American related issues especially immigration.

*William Delahunt — Democrat from Massachusetts. He has been a trusted ally of Indian causes.

*Gregory Meeks — Democrat from New York. He is concerned about terrorism in South Asia and has chided the present Afghan government. He has been critical of unsavory Pakistani involvement in the region.

*Robert Wexler — Democrat from Florida. He joined the India Caucus in 1997 and consistently opposed the Burton amendments. He has been a signatory to all letters favoring relationships with India. He was in the vanguard for hearings on Pakistan’s involvement in South Asian terrorism with colleague Sam Gejdenson.

*Sherrod Brown — Democrat from Ohio. A founding member of the India Caucus. A strong critic of China and the undemocratic practices in Pakistan. He has spoken on issues concerning human rights violations in Kashmir and the activities of the Council of Khalistan. Seeks economic and cultural ties with India.

*Richard Gephard — Democrat from Missouri. As the minority leader, he has worked to mobilise support among the ranks for India related issues. In 1999 he led a Congressional delegation to India to examine India’s foreign, security, economic and trade policies; Indo-US bilateral issues, and India’s role in South Asia. He has worked with Indian American leaders to promote immigration, access to education and healthcare. He is a member of the India Caucus and an advocate of strengthened Indo-US ties.

*Sam Gejdenson — Democrat from Connecticut. He has championed for significant anti-terrorism and non-proliferation measures. He advocates opening of foreign markets like India to US goods. The co-author of several pro-India letters with Chairman Gilman. He supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

*Frank Pallone — Democrat from New Jersey. Used his leverage to establish the India Caucus in 1993. As a former Chairman of the Caucus he actively speaks on India related issues. He helped secure the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. He firmly stood by India through the May, 1998, nuclear tests and has been openly critical of Pakistan’s involvement in the Kargil crisis. He has also criticised the October 1999 coup in Pakistan as well that country’s involvement in cross-boarder terrorism. He has repeatedly tried to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and has written on several occasions to support India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Arguably the most prominent advocate of the Indian community in the Congress.

*Jim McDermott — Democrat from Washington. As a member of the Influential House Ways and Means Committee which authorises all expenditures, he has co-signed several letters supporting Indian stances and helped to arrange of the Prime Minister’s address to the joint session of Congress. His district is home to Microsoft and Boeing, and both companies have a vested interest in strengthened relations with India.