US Senators asked to join India caucus to strengthen relations

Lalit K Jha

Washington, June 5 (PTI) The Congress should fortify
strategic partnership with India and the US after the historic
nuclear deal signed last year, top Senators have said, even as
they asked their colleagues at the upper house to join an
initiative to better relations between the two nations.

Top Senators, John Cornyn and Christopher Dodd who are
co-chairs of a Indo-US friendship initiative, 'Senate India
Caucus' now want to expand the membership of this powerful
caucus in the Congress.

"There is no clearer evidence of the benefits of this
strategic partnership than the US-India Civilian Nuclear
Agreement, passed by Congress and signed into law last fall,"
they wrote in a joint letter to all members of the US Senate.

This landmark initiative paved the way for cooperative
efforts in peaceful civilian nuclear power, representing the
latest example of the "US and India working together" on an
issue of mutual benefit, the letter said.

"In the coming years the US Congress should aim to
fortify the strategic partnership between India and the US."

Cornyn is a Republican while Dodd is a Democratic.

"The Senate India Caucus provides a forum for members of
the Senate to work closely with Indian government officials,
Indian Americans and other friends of India in the US to help
promote the already flourishing relationship between our
countries and candidly discuss issues of common concern," they
said in the letter dated June 1.

"We ask you to join us as a member of the Senate India
Caucus. In so doing, you would help send a message that the US
and India stand together as friends to face even the most
difficult and pressing issues of our time. An inaugural 2009
event will be planned for this summer," they wrote.

Contents of the letter was released by Ram Narayanan of
the US India Friendship; urging Indian Americans to approach
their Senators to join the India Caucus.

"A strong relationship between the US and India, based on
mutual trust and respect, will enable close collaboration
across a broad spectrum of strategic interests, such as
counter-terrorism, promotion of democracy, fostering regional
economic development, encouraging respect for human rights,
and expanding scientific research," Cornyn and Dodd said.

The two Senators said in recent years, it has become
increasingly apparent that India, the world's largest
democracy, and the US, the world's oldest democracy, are well
suited for not only a partnership, but also a friendship.

"Robust cooperation between the US and India means
increased economic opportunities for both nations, as well as
the chance to join together to spread the fundamental
principles of freedom, democracy, tolerance and the rule of
law throughout the world benefiting Americans and Indians
alike," they argued.

The Caucus provides a forum for members of the Senate to
work closely with Indian government officials, Indian
Americans and other friends of India in the US to help promote
the already flourishing relationship the two countries. PTI
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