Royce Welcomes Prime Minister of India to the U.S.
Washington,
Nov 18, 2009 -
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following remarks in support of House Resolution 890, "Welcoming the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States" :
I rise in support of this resolution. I want to thank Mr. McDermott, my co-chairman of the India Caucus.
Indian Prime Minister Singh's visit to Washington for an official visit is an important signal of deepening relations between the United States and India. His visit sends a signal to the Indian people that their country is a valued partner. This resolution recognizes this relationship --its past successes, and hopes for its future.
Significantly, Prime Minister Singh's visit will come almost to the day of the horrific terrorist attacks on Mumbai carried out by Islamist militants. On that, day 163 people were cut down in a bloody rampage. Our thoughts will be with Indian people on that anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, over the past decade, relations between the U.S. and India have undergone a renaissance. Prime Minister Singh has done much to bring the United States and India together, but perhaps nothing more consequential than signing the landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries.
Indian officials have told me about their ambitious plans to expand nuclear power. India needs additional electricity to fuel its growing economy and nuclear energy is a clean source. With this deal, the Indian nuclear industry is overcoming the international restrictions that have curtailed it since 1974, to reach its full potential. India will still rely on other energy sources, but it is smart policy for any country to diversify. We in the U.S. should learn that lesson. We are expecting U.S. companies to be part of the Indian nuclear industry. We should give them more opportunities at home too.
Official visits should lead to concrete policy improvements. If this relationship is to move ahead, progress must be made on trade. Right now, the signs aren't good. Both countries need to get serious on advancing trade, or we'll both lose.
The U.S.-India relationship has made great strides, but progress can't be taken for granted. We have many common interests: economics, counter-terrorism, energy. While President Obama was in China this week, India is another very important country. The India Caucus will be watching next week's visit in hopes that specific advances will be made.
