Time to Strengthen the U.S.-India Relationship

Press Release

A new government has emerged in India. Last month, over 550 million Indian voters cast their ballots and gave Mr. Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a resounding victory, allowing the party to seize a parliamentary majority. In doing so, voters also gave the new BJP government two clear and urgent demands: economic growth and responsible governance. This is truly a historic event for India and an opportunity for the U.S. and India to strengthen their ties.

I sincerely look forward to the opportunity of developing a relationship with Prime Minister Narenda Modi and other Indian leaders.

I am proud to say that when I served as Secretary of State of Indiana, I was the first statewide elected official from the Hoosier State to travel to India. This extraordinary trip allowed me the opportunity to visit places such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Andra Pradesh, and provided me with a new perspective on the numerous mutually beneficial opportunities that a stronger relationship with India could provide for the United States.

I have since worked to foster a closer partnership between Indiana and India.

I recently spoke at a USINPAC forum in the United State Capitol and shared my personal experiences with the Indian community in my state. As the Representative of Indiana's 4th congressional district, I am proud to serve all Hoosiers in cities and towns of various sizes and shapes, rich with many wonderful landmarks. One in particular, is Purdue University -- among the top engineering and research schools in the United States. Each year, it draws excellent students from around the United States and thousands from around the world. Through hard work and a desire to achieve success in America, Indian immigrants who have studied at Purdue have made a variety of important contributions to the business, scientific, and education industries in Indiana, and we are glad to have them be a part of our great state.

Unfortunately, every time I hear about these success stories, I am reminded that there are many unheard stories of a broken American visa system that is preventing even more graduates from contributing to the U.S. economy. That is why I have supported legislation that would make visas nearly automatic to immigrant graduates who earn scientific and technical degrees. Many of these graduates could go on to start new businesses and go onto hire Hoosiers, which they cannot do if and when they are forced to leave.

Indians immigrate to the United States in significant numbers each year because they recognize that they can put their knowledge and skills to good use in America, should they choose to remain here following college. We should be doing everything we can to attract more immigrants like them. The addition of Indians to our culture has been of great benefit to our country, just as America's cultural and economic influences have been of benefit to India.

Our ties with India, and other countries, have resulted in the biggest economic growth period in history as the American economic system and ideas have spread across the globe. The American free enterprise system started an economic revolution that is still ongoing today. Free enterprise is a concept that Prime Minister Modi understands. The more countries who embrace these proven economic ideas, the better for the citizens of the countries involved.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the growth of a reliable partner, such as India, will only benefit the United States.

Almost immediately after being elected Prime Minister, Mr. Modi has begun to work toward reducing burdensome tax code restrictions on international retailers and the national cap on the maximum level of foreign direct investment allowed in India's defense sector. Successful implementation of these policies would be a boon for mass-market U.S. retailers and defense manufacturers, who have much to gain from free-market policies pursued by the government of the second largest country in the world.

The Indian and worldwide business community have already shown a great deal of belief in Prime Minister Modi's government. His proposed policies, and the ones that he has already begun implementing, are indicators that he will open up private sector growth in a variety of areas such as energy, infrastructure, and defense.

Now is the time for the United States to seize a tremendous opportunity in India. The United States should engage Prime Minister Modi, his Cabinet, and Parliamentary leaders so we can strengthen our critical relationship. I believe Modi's election represents a chance to reenergize relations between our two countries.

India is an important partner of the United States. We should make every effort to deepen our ties with it. I look forward to helping lead those efforts.

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