Prime Minister Vajpayee's remarks at the India Caucus lunch

September 14, 2000
Washington, D.C.

Mr. Co-Chairman Gary Ackerman and Jim Greenwood, Friends of India:

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today.

I would like to begin by thanking all of you. By promoting better Indo-US relations by focusing attention of the House on positive elements like growing trade and economic interaction, you have been friends in deed and friends in need.

The India Caucus is an outstanding example of participatory democracy. It serves as a bridge between the 1.5 million strong Indian American community and their elected representatives.

The Caucus took shape seven years ago with four members. I understand that today it has more than 120 members. This reflects both the growing confidence of the Indian American community and the increasingly close relationship between India and the US on wide-ranging issues.

We have noted with gratitude your support for India during last summer's intrusion by Pakistani Army regulars in India's Kargil sector. As we have your efforts to block certain amendments.

We share your commitment to promote democracy and protest its demise at the hands of military rulers.

Earlier today, when I addressed the Joint meeting of the US Congress, I began by recalling the adoption of the India Resolution by an overwhelming vote of 396 to 4, calling for the broadening of Indo-US relations into a strategic partnership. That resolution's successful adoption owes much to Caucus members who co-sponsored it.

We believe that the challenge posed to open, plural and democratic societies by terrorism calls for concerted international action. We are greatly encouraged by the support extended by India Caucus members to our efforts in this regard. We know that we are not alone in voicing concern over and fighting the challenge of international terrorism.

Your support in expanding Indo-US economic and business relations also encourage us. India looks forward to American investors, industry and business to collaborate with their Indian counterparts in an environment that is conducive to growth, development and mutually enriching enterprise.

India and the US have much to gain from a close relationship between two natural allies. I am confident that the India Caucus will play a leading role in giving an impetus to this relationship, thus serving as a bridge between the peoples of our two great countries.

On behalf of the people of India and my colleagues in the democratically elected parliament of India, I once again express my heart-felt thanks to all of you.

Thank you.