Senators Praise U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement
19 July 2006
Senators address Indian American Friendship Council
Washington – Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar said that 2006 is significant not only as an anniversary of the Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC), but as a “year in which diplomacy has brought the U.S. and India together in what can be a significant partnership for world peace for decades to come.” He was speaking of the U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement to members of the council at their 10th annual Legislative Conference on Capitol Hill. (See related article.)
Lugar, one of those who steered the Senate Foreign Relations Committee toward its 16-2 vote in favor of the agreement, spoke of the hurdles encountered in the legislatures of both countries.
He said the agreement presented “a set of issues difficult for many in the parliament in India to debate, and it certainly has been difficult for members of the Senate and House of Representatives to resolve,” he said. Lugar attributed these difficulties in part to diligence and caution of the legislators.
“There was a feeling that the whole idea of nuclear proliferation in this world has taken a very bad turn,” he said, citing North Korea and Iran among other countries that could threaten global security. Lugar encouraged greater cooperation in the energy sector beyond nuclear energy and the exploration of new energy resources.
Senator Paul Sarbanes told the gathering, “As the world’s largest democracy, India represents the hopes and aspirations of literally millions of people around the world, not just its own people, but beyond its own boundaries.” He said, “Your community has made enormous contributions to our society: in medicine, business, technology, engineering, on and on.”
“So the improved diplomatic relations with India bring tremendous benefits to both of our countries,” he said. Sarbanes echoed Lugar saying, “I believe this measure will enable the U.S. and India to proceed to a new stage of what has been a strong and mutually beneficial partnership.”
Senator Ben Nelson received an award from the council for his assistance to the Indian American community. He reflected upon global security concerns and the importance of cooperation in nuclear and other areas.
“I’m so very pleased,” he said, “how we can work together as functioning democracies in a world today that presents so much danger, so much uncertainty, so much hostility towards the democratic way of government and the democratic way of life.”
Several audience members expressed concern about the difficulties of getting student visas or visas for family members. Nelson acknowledged their concerns and urged the United States to “open the front door to legal immigrants.”
In this he was seconded by Senator John Cornyn, co-chairman of the India Caucus, who said, “We need to do better addressing America’s interests when it comes to our immigration system.”
“When we think about the contributions of Indian Americans we think of high skilled, high value contributions to our nation, and I think it’s the right thing to do to facilitate that and allow it to grow,” Cornyn added. The senator also expressed his support for nuclear cooperation with India.
Senator Ken Salazar said that besides the strong U.S.-India relationship, the diversity of America “is enriched by the 2 million Indian Americans who live here in the United States of America, who contribute to our economy, who enrich our life and culture.”
Salazar spoke of the importance of working together on energy issues, including conservation, renewable energy, biofuels, sharing of technology and research that go beyond current conventional energy sources. Like Lugar, he said developing new ways of processing coal is an area that merits research.
Among those attending the meeting were also Senators Mike DeWine, Lincoln Chaffee and Tom Carper. Minnesota State Senator Satveer Chaudhary, the first Indian American to be elected to that state’s senate, urged Indian Americans to “be aware, get involved.”
The Indian American Friendship Council was founded in 1990 to promote the interests of Indian American community and promote strong U.S. - India relations.
For more information see U.S.-India: Strengthening a Global Partnership.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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