Congressional Statements

Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ) on 54th anniversary of India's independence

Statement in House of Representatives
August 3, 2001

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to join with the people of India and the Indian-American community to commemorate India's Independence Day. The 54th anniversary of India's Independence will actually occur on August 15th, while Congress is in recess, so I wanted to take this opportunity tonight, before we adjourn, to mark this important occasion before my colleagues in this House and the American people.

Last month, Americans celebrated the Fourth of July. For a billion people in India, one-sixth of the human race, the 15th of August holds the same significance. I am proud to extend my congratulations to the people of India, and to the sons and daughters of India who have come to the United States, enriching American society in so many ways.

On August 15, 1947, the people of India finally gained their independence from Britain, following a long and determined struggle that continues to inspire the world. In his stirring "midnight hour" speech, India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, set the tone for the newly established Republic, a Republic devoted to the principles of democracy and secularism. In more than half a century since then, India has stuck to the path of free and fair elections, a multiparty political system and the orderly transfer of power from one government to its successor.

India continues to grapple with the challenges of delivering broad-based economic development to a large and growing population. India has sought to provide full rights and representation to its many ethnic, religious and linguistic communities. And India seeks to be a force for stability and cooperation in the strategically vital South Asia region. In all of these respects, India stands out as a model for other Asian nations, and developing countries everywhere, to follow.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most difficult situations for a democracy is their relationships with their neighbors, especially if they do not share the same democratic ideals. India has struggled to establish a peaceful cooperation with the nation of Pakistan. As you know, Pakistan has made a transition from the thin guise of democracy to an outright military state.

Despite this fact, India has made repeated efforts to establish peaceful and economically prosperous relations with Pakistan.

Evidence of this can be found in India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee extending the hand of friendship to Pakistan President Musharraf. This is the latest act of good faith by India even though Pakistan has consistently reverted in their promises to uphold their end in recent years. In February of 1999 India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration under which they pledged to establish a procedure for resolving their differences through bilateral negotiations. Pakistan subsequently betrayed this when their forces crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives and international condemnation. Pakistan also broke the latest cease-fire initiated by India, yet Vajpayee still decided to invite Musharraf to a summit this past month. While the summit collapsed, Vajpayee has vowed to continue dialogue to try to bring about peace with India's neighbor.

India is of utmost importance to the United States, not only because of our shared principles, but also because of India's strategic importance. They have showed the Western World time and time again that they serve as a vital stabilizing force in the South Asian region. India has committed itself both politically and economically with the United States. In March of 2000, our countries participated in the U.S.-India Summit in New Delhi, where a Vision Statement was crafted. This statement committed both countries to fight against terrorism, prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, expand trade, and a variety of other important issues. To this day, India continues to reduce barriers to trade, and bilateral trade has grown from less than $5 billion in 1993 to over $15 billion in 2000. India has not just passed the litmus test of foreign governments, but they have passed the much harder test of Western corporations that look for a profitable environment. There are hundreds of U.S. companies investing in India: AT&T, Citicorp, Morgan Stanley, Ford Motor Company, and IBM just to name a few.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise on behalf of the Indian-Americans in my district, and the 1.6 million all over this country to extend my congratulations to the largest democracy in the world. India has survived hostile neighbors, the transition from colonialism, recent earthquakes and droughts, and adaptation to the world economy, and with the continued support of the United States, will do so for many years to come.