Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s busy day on Capitol Hill on June 8 will underscore the significance the U.S. legislature has acquired in promoting ties between the two countries.
The Obama administration has to balance its policies to accommodate Pakistan, but the Congress has no such ambivalence. A series of legislative measures in the recent past demonstrates the bipartisan consensus in India’s favour.
Mr. Modi will spend almost the entire day on the Capitol.
Speaker Paul Ryan will host him for an interaction with Congressional leaders in the morning; then there will be the address to the joint session of Congress, followed by a lunch.
Post-lunch, there will be a reception organised by the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committees. Unlike in the past, when the India Caucus hosted the Prime Ministers for Capitol Hill receptions, this time the U.S. Congress and its various committees host the entire series of events.
“As the branch of government most closely tied to the American people, the U.S. Congress seeks to consider legislation that would be beneficial to both India and the United States,” Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Rules Committee, told The Hindu . “Just recently … I was proud to support and rule in order an amendment from my friend Congressman George Holding that would reinforce the United States focus on the bilateral security relationship.”
Aid to PakistanThe other recent Congressional initiatives that favour India include a Bill encouraging the administration to help India join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, one restricting U.S. military aid to Pakistan and another one that blocked U.S. funding for a proposed sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan.
Unlike in India, U.S. foreign policy decisions made by the executive are subject to approval by the legislature.
“At a time when virtually every major foreign policy issue on Capitol Hill has been afflicted by fierce partisanship, the United States’ relationship with India remains a top legislative priority for both parties. Over the past decade, Congress has become a steady champion of the U.S.-India partnership, playing a critical role in moving it forward on a host of key strategic, economic and defence issues,” said Ronak D. Desai, Fellow at New America and an Affiliate at the Belfer Center’s India and South Asia Program at Harvard University.
U.S. lawmakers are, however, increasingly impatient with India on one count: trade liberalisation.
The lawmakers have also raised concerns over the reported incidents of intolerance in India. In February, six Senators and 26 Representatives wrote to Prime Minister, asking him to condemn religious violence.
