Congressional Statements

India Caucus Co-Chairs Royce and McDermott Welcome Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee

Press Release
November 8, 2001

U.S. Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Jim McDermott (D-WA) Thursday welcomed Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Washington, D.C. and Congress. Both men and the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Affairs hosted a lunch for Vajpayee to discuss fighting terrorism, trade, and security issues.

Increased trade remains a priority of the India Caucus, however the fight against terrorism took center stage.

"India has long known the horrors of terrorism. Since September 11th, India has been with the United States every step of the way. Now, India has joined the United States in this war against terrorism. It will be a difficult struggle. We will need all the friends we can get and India has demonstrated that it will be a key ally in this war," Royce said.

"We have entered a totally new world in the past two months. The violence and hatred that was directed at the United States on September 11th has jolted us to the core. More than this, it has given us the clarity to see the world in a new light. This clarity has shown us that the strongest friend that the United States can have is India. India is a strong democratic ally that shares our most cherished values and freedoms - an ally that we need to hold close," McDermott said.

McDermott and Royce also praised the closer ties between the U.S. And India.

"It is important that the world's largest democracy and the world's longest standing democracy continue becoming closer. It is a win-win situation for both countries in all areas -- security, trade, economic, and political. India is a friend of the United States and I look forward to helping that strategic relationship get even better," Royce said.

"The phenomenal home-in-home series between Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Clinton last year advanced Indo-American relations beyond all expectations. Tomorrow will be the first meeting between Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Bush, and I have every confidence that their meeting will only bolster the momentum in Indo-American relations," McDermott said.

Also on Thursday, the House passed under unanimous consent a resolution [H.Con. Res. 264] welcoming Prime Minister Vajpayee to the United States and commending India for its support in the fight against terrorism. Both Royce and McDermott spoke on the House floor in favor of the resolution.