*EPF510 11/09/2001
Excerpt: House Approves Resolution Welcoming Indian Prime Minister
(H. Con. Res. 264 passes House, lawmakers hail India-U.S. ties) (2600)
The House of Representatives passed a resolution November 8 welcoming Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the United States and highlighting the importance of U.S.-Indian relations.
The House passed by unanimous consent House Concurrent Resolution 264 on the same day the Senate passed a similar resolution on the Indian leader's visit to the United States.
Representative Benjamin Gilman (Republican of New York) introduced the resolution and urged close ties between the world's two largest democracies, a theme he has often raised in speeches before the House of Representatives and the House International Relations Committee, where he is chairman emeritus.
India and the United States, Gilman told fellow lawmakers, "share a common destiny. Our people thrive on democracy, the rule of law and the right to freely worship God, and our governments understand that these rights and freedoms are essential for our civilizations to flourish."
Citing the meeting in New Delhi between Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and India's Minister of Defense George Fernandes, and the agreement to expand and intensify cooperation in the war against international terrorism, Gilman said he and other lawmakers "are delighted that India and the United States are moving closer to becoming allies in every sense of the word."
Representative Tom Lantos (Democrat of California) spoke on behalf of the resolution, recalling that "India also lost over 200 of its own citizens in the dreadful attack on the World Trade Center."
The ranking minority member of the House International Relations Committee added that while the terror attack of September 11 on the United States "was a first for us," U.S. allies such as India and Israel "have been subjected to terrorist attacks for many years."
Lantos, who is co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, noted that on October 7 "terrorists attacked the Parliament House in Kashmir claiming the lives of scores of innocent Indian citizens."
America and India need to step up security and political cooperation, according to Representative Henry Hyde (Republican of Illinois), the chairman of the House International Relations Committee.
"India's importance to world security is obvious to anyone who possesses a map. Of course, Indians and Americans agree on many other subjects, especially on the benefits of democracy and human rights and on the benefits of trade," Hyde said.
The United States, he continued, "wants to help India and its neighbors live in peace in a stable South Asia."
For that peace to occur, Hyde added, "this will require the extirpation of al Qaida and the defeat of those who harbor it, the Taliban."
India and Pakistan "are on the same side in this endeavor," the Illinois Republican said. "I pray that they will take the opportunity to achieve some level of confidence in one another in a common struggle."
Following are excerpts from the debate on H. Con. Res. 264 and the text of the resolution:
(begin excerpt)
WELCOMING PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA
ON OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO UNITED STATES
House of Representatives
November 08, 2001
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 264) expressing the sense of Congress to welcome the Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the occasion of his visit to the United States, and to affirm that India is a valued friend and partner and an important ally in the campaign against international terrorism, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from New York, so that he may explain the reasons for moving this resolution immediately to the floor.
Mr. GILMAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. LANTOS), the ranking minority member on the Committee on International Relations, for crafting H. Con. Res. 264, a resolution expressing the sense of the Congress to welcome the Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the occasion of his visit to our Nation, and to affirm that India is a valued friend and partner and an important ally in the campaign against international terrorism.
India and the United States share a common destiny. Our people thrive on democracy, the rule of law and the right to freely worship God, and our governments understand that these rights and freedoms are essential for our civilizations to flourish.
Mr. Speaker, this past Monday in New Delhi, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and India's Minister of Defense, George Fernandes, met and agreed to expand and intensify our mutual cooperation in the war against international terrorism. We are delighted that India and the United States are moving closer to becoming allies in every sense of the word.
An alliance between our Nation and India could specifically be used to promote democratic governments in the region and to combat drugs and terrorism. And our Nation appreciates the immeasurable contributions to our society made by the more than 1 million Americans of Indian origin.
This past summer, Russian President Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin gave each other a bear hug and signed a so-called "friendship treaty." We are now embarking on a similar friendship with India and Prime Minister Vajpayee.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I am delighted to speak in support of this resolution which welcomes Prime Minister Vajpayee of India to the United States and expresses the deep appreciation of the American people for the strong and immediate support India has provided us at the time of the events of September 11.
Many of our colleagues do not realize, Mr. Speaker, that India also lost over 200 of its own citizens in the dreadful attack on the World Trade Center. As a matter of fact, while this terrible terrorist act was a first for us, I think it is important for all of us to understand that some of our democratic friends and allies have been subjected to terrorist attacks for many years. Our democratic friend, India, and our democratic friend, the State of Israel, have been subjected to terrorism for over half a century. Following our tragic event on September 11, on October 7 terrorists attacked the Parliament House in Kashmir claiming the lives of scores of innocent Indian citizens.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to realize that today we have the pleasure of welcoming to our Congress the Prime Minister of the largest democracy on the face of this planet. There are 1 billion people in India, Mr. Speaker. Many were doubtful years ago that a society, at that time quite poor, in many ways undeveloped, could maintain a political democracy. There was a lot of skepticism as to whether you could have a viable political democracy with 1 billion people of enormous ethnic variety and with hundreds of millions of those people living in abject poverty.
India has proven the pessimists wrong. India today is the fourth largest economy on the face of this planet, and it is the largest political democracy on this planet. Political elections unfold, governments change peacefully, as they do here in the United States.
A great deal has been made in recent times, since September 11, of our building a global coalition against international terrorism; and we all support the effort of the President, the Secretary of State and others to move along these lines. But I think it is important to realize that some Members of this coalition share our values. India is one of them.
Not all members of the coalition are built on the same set of democratic values that our society is built on and India's society is built on. For many, this coalition is just a marriage of convenience. With respect to India, it is a marriage based on shared and common values of pluralism, respect for minorities, freedom of religion, political privileges of voting, freedom of press, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression.
India, with its vibrant democracy and secular government, is a rich and diverse society which stands as a beacon of example to many others in that region. There is no doubt in my mind, Mr. Speaker, that our friendship with India will continue to grow and deepen, and it is in this spirit that we welcome Prime Minister Vajpayee to the United States and to the Congress of the United States.
Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation of objection, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. MCDERMOTT), the chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.
Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
The 120-some members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans are very excited to have the Prime Minister here in Washington, D.C. We just had a wonderful lunch where we greeted him, and we look forward to having a positive relationship develop to an even deeper level. The 11th of September was a day that jolted us all, and almost immediately Prime Minister Vajpayee was on the phone to the United States putting out his hand in help, offering bases, something that had never happened before.
This is a major sea change in the relationship between India and the United States. I think all the Members of Congress who understand the importance of a stable Central and South Asia understand the strength that Prime Minister Vajpayee has brought to that area. He reached out to his neighbor, Pakistan, and took a bus trip to Pakistan, the first time an Indian Prime Minister had done that in the whole history of India-Pakistan relations. He is a man who walks the talk of peace, and he has become our friend; and we are very glad to have him here....
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I am delighted to yield to my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. ROYCE), the distinguished Republican cochair of the India caucus.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, today we had a luncheon where we heard from Prime Minister Vajpayee. It is always good to see the Prime Minister consulting with the Congress and the administration to strengthen the ties between India and the United States. We all know how the ties between India and the United States have solidified over the years. However, since September 11 that relationship has reached new heights.
India has been with the United States every step of the way. India has long known the horrors of terrorism, and now the United States has joined India in the fight against terrorism. India quickly condemned the attacks and immediately offered assistance to the U.S. India has provided the intelligence support, as well as the use of its military bases and air space.
I had a chance to be there during the international fleet review in Mumbai and see why Colin Powell, our Secretary of State, said that India has the strength to keep the peace in the vast Indian Ocean and its periphery.
Today, President Bush is skillfully leading what will be a difficult struggle, but India has demonstrated that it will be a key ally in this war. For that, we are appreciative.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, today, with this resolution, the House welcomes a friend, the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Prime Minister is in Washington in the course of visits to several capitals to emphasize India's longstanding commitment to fight terrorism.
This is a matter on which we can all agree. America and India need to step up our security and political cooperation; India's importance to world security is obvious to anyone who possesses a map. Of course, Indians and Americans agree on many other subjects, especially on the benefits of democracy and human rights and on the benefits of trade.
American-Indian relations have been getting better for many years, following the steady, upward path of bilateral trade. The fact that more and more individuals of Indian ancestry are contributing to our society, becoming citizens, and taking part in civic and business endeavors is another factor that contributes mightily to our improving relationship. As this trend continues, Americans get to know Indian culture and Indians are more likely to have friends and relatives in this country and have a realistic picture of life here.
The United States wants to help India and its neighbors live in peace in a stable South Asia. It has become clear that, in the first instance, this will require the extirpation of al Qaida and the defeat of those who harbor it, the Taliban.
India and Pakistan, rivals and sometimes enemies, are on the same side in this endeavor. I pray that they will take the opportunity to achieve some level of confidence in one another in a common struggle. I hope that American leadership will help bring them together wherever we can in fact be of assistance.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important visit. The Indian Prime Minister is a most welcome guest, and one whom we are most pleased to honor with this resolution....
(end excerpts)
(begin text of resolution)
H. Con. Res. 264
Whereas Congress is pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his visit to the United States;
Whereas the United States and India, the world's two largest democracies, are natural allies, based on their shared values and common interests in building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous world in the 21st century;
Whereas from the very day that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington occurred, India has expressed its condolences for the terrible losses, its solidarity with the American people, and its pledge of full cooperation in the campaign against international terrorism;
Whereas India, which has been on the front lines in the fight against international terrorism for many years, directly shares America's grief over the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, with the number of missing Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin estimated at 250;
Whereas the United States and India are engaged as partners in a global coalition to combat the scourge of international terrorism, a partnership that began well before the tragic events of September 11, 2001;
Whereas cooperation between India and the United States extends beyond the current international campaign against terrorism, and has been steadily developing over recent years in such areas as preserving stability and growth in the global economy, protecting the environment, combating infectious diseases, and expanding trade, especially in emerging knowledge-based industries and high technology areas; and
Whereas more than 1,000,000 Americans of Indian heritage have contributed immeasurably to American society: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress--
(1) to welcome the Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to the United States;
(2) to express profound gratitude to the Government of India for its expressions of sympathy for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and its demonstrated willingness to fully cooperate with the United States in the campaign against terrorism; and
(3) to pledge commitment to the continued expansion of friendship and cooperation between the United States and India.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
(end excerpt)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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