Congressional Statements

Rep. Ackerman urges Clinton Administration to
make tangible policy changes toward India

Press Release
October 27, 1999

A House panel today unanimously passed a resolution urging President Clinton to "broaden our [U.S.] special relationship with India into a strategic partnership." The resolution was sponsored by Congressman Gary L. Ackerman (D-N.Y.), co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

In introducing the resolution, Rep. Ackerman, a leading member of the House International Relations Committee, told the Subcommittee on Asia and Pacific of the House International Relations: "It is high time we seriously begin to recognize this fact and graduate from mere platitudes to some tangible policy changes toward India."

"I believe that it is time to reexamine our basic premise regarding U.S. policy in South Asia. We should abandon old paradigms and Cold War hang-ups and see that India, a democracy, is our natural ally in the region," Rep. Ackerman said.

Text of Statement and Resolution follows:

Statement of Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D- N.Y.), cochairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans on India at the Subcommittee on Asia and Pacific of the House International Relations Committee Markup October 27, 1999. Rep. Ackerman is a leading member of the House International Relations Committee.

Mr. Chairman, let me thank you and your staff in the Subcommittee for working with me and considering my resolution this afternoon. I want to thank Mr. Gedjenson and Mr. Lantos for cosponsoring this resolution.
The contrasting events in India and Pakistan over a single 24 hour period speak eloquently about the new challenges and opportunities that we face in South Asia. In India, we have seen hundreds of millions of voters enthusiastically exercise their votes in a free and fair election.

This resolution, Mr. Chairman, recognizes the Indian peoples' abiding commitment to democracy and salutes them for the passion with which they choose their own destiny. No country reflects our own values more in that part of the world than does India.

It is high time we seriously begin to recognize this fact and graduate from mere platitudes to some tangible policy changes toward India.
I believe that it is time to reexamine our basic premise regarding U.S. Policy in South Asia. We should abandon old paradigms and Cold War hang-ups and see that India, a democracy, is our natural ally in the region.

The best way to demonstrate our commitment to the people of India is by ensuring that the President travels to India as soon as possible.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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INDIA RESOLUTION:
Copied from original PDF document

H.L.C.

(Original Signature of Member)
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. l
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION (211)
Expressing the strong support of the Congress for the recently concluded elections in the Republic of India and urging the President to travel to India.

Whereas the Republic of India is a long-standing parliamentary democracy where citizens may freely change their government;

Whereas India has a thriving multiparty system where a broad spectrum of political views are represented; Whereas India recently conducted a successful round of elections, involving over 650,000,000 registered voters and resulting in a 60 percent voter turnout and reelection of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee;

Whereas India and the United States share a special relationship as the world's most populous democracy and the world's oldest democracy, respectively, and have a shared commitment to upholding the will of the people and the rule of law;

Whereas the President has expressed his continued desire to travel to South Asia; and

Whereas India continues to be a shining example of democracy for all of Asia to follow:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress

congratulates the people of the Republic of India on the successful conclusion of their recent national elections;

congratulates Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his reelection;

calls on the President to travel to India as part of any trip to South Asia; and

urges the President to broaden our special relationship with India into a strategic partnership.