Congressional Statements

Brown invites Vajpayee to Washington

Press Release
June 23, 2000

U.S. Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today urged Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to invite Prime Minister Vajpayee to speak before a joint session of Congress. Brown, a founding member of the Congressional India Caucus and a member of the International Relations Committee, said Prime Minister Vajpayee is expected to visit the United States in the fall.

"The Prime Minister has a strong message about the future of India and Asia. He deserves the honor of speaking to the United States House of Representatives. In this world of global trade and communication, nothing could be more important than listening to the leader of the world's largest democracy. His presence in Congress would be a great step in U.S.-Indian relations," Brown said.

The Commerce Department identifies India as one of the 10 Big Emerging Markets. India's development in the high-tech and manufacturing industries has created attractive ventures for American trade and investment. "If our high ideals of freedom and democracy are to reach every man and woman in the developing world," Brown said, "the United States needs to increase trade with nations like India. We need to support countries that respect human rights, not punish them."