Congressional Statements

Royce to India

Will focus on civilian nuclear agreement, trade and counterterrorism

March 30, 2007

Rep. Edward Royce (R-CA), former co-chairman of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives, announced today that he will be traveling to India during the upcoming congressional recess. Royce is traveling on a congressional delegation organized by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), the head of the foreign operations subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. Royce is the top Republican on the Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee.

Last July, Royce managed landmark legislation allowing for civilian nuclear energy cooperation between the U.S. and India, opening the door for India's nuclear trade with the world. That legislation was signed into law in December. On the floor of the House of Representatives, Royce said, "Young Indian scientists and engineers in the nuclear field want to collaborate with their American counterparts but they are currently isolated." Royce was the lead legislator in defeating a motion, offered by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), to revise the legislation and effectively sink the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement. The delegation will meet with top Indian nuclear officials and assess the state of negotiations of a civilian nuclear energy cooperation agreement between the two countries. That agreement would require congressional approval.

Royce will also focus on promoting closer cooperation between the two countries in fighting Islamist terrorism. "Unfortunately India has a long history of confronting Islamist terrorism. The U.S. has a lot to learn from India's years of counterterrorism efforts." The delegation plans to meet with key Indian trade and business officials. It will also examine the U.S. Agency for International Development's projects to better Indian health care. The delegation will visit New Delhi, Mumbai and Rajasthan. It will meet with Prime Minister Singh, Congress Party chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP leaders and top government officials.

Royce chaired the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans in 2001 and 2002. He has been a leading congressional champion of better ties between the U.S. and India, traveling with President Clinton to India, and leading a congressional delegation to earthquake devastated Gujarat in 2001. Royce noted, "India is an emerging political, economic and military power. While we have improved ties, the sky is the limit. That's why I'm going to India."