US India Summit on Capitol Hill Tackles Indo-Pacific Security and Religious Bias with Delegates Representing 22 States

Sunday, June 16, 2024

On June 13th, Capitol Hill became the center stage for the US India Summit, hosted by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS). The event was marked by significant advocacy efforts and in-depth discussions on critical policy issues, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders.

Khanderao Kand, FIIDS Chief of Policy and Strategy, highlighted the success of the campaign, which saw active participation from over 135 Indian American delegates representing 22 states. These delegates engaged with more than 83 elected officials from 35 states, fostering a broad-based dialogue on several pivotal issues.

Key topics addressed at the summit included the exemption of tech exports under the Indo-US Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) framework, efforts to elevate India’s status as a Major Defense Partner, and comprehensive immigration reforms aimed at reducing the Green Card backlog. Additionally, the summit shed light on the growing concern over religious bias and hate crimes targeting Indian Americans, particularly Hindus, and the strategic importance of Indo-Pacific security.

The US India Summit at Capitol Hill underscored the power of collective advocacy and the importance of addressing issues that impact the Indian American community and the broader bilateral relationship between the United States and India.

Khanderao Kand,”Hundreds from 22 states thundered Capitol Hill in FIIDS Hosted Indian American Advocacy Summit discussing near 100 members US-India relations, IndoPacific, Tech Immigration and religious phobia.”

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Nancy Jackson emphasized the significance of the US-India relationship, calling it “our most consequential relationship.” She highlighted major events in 2023, including PM Modi’s state visit and President Biden’s visit for the G20 Summit, expressing optimism for continued collaboration on climate, space, and defense. Jackson quoted PM Modi, saying, “No corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership between our two countries from the sea to the stars.”

Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan noted the transformation in US-India relations, stating, “The US-India relationship has transitioned from an era where we rarely agree to an era where we rarely disagree.” She praised FIIDS for strengthening this relationship and representing the Indian diaspora’s interests.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of Indian American political involvement, asserting, “If you don’t have a seat on the table, you’re on the menu,” and celebrated India’s global rise: “Not just Indians have arrived in America, but India has arrived on the world stage.” He urged the community to engage politically, stating, “It’s time to run for office… I don’t care if you’re a Republican, independent, or Democrat.”

Congressman Ro Khanna highlighted the progress of Indian American political engagement, noting, “It was not long ago that it was hard to get 5-6 Indian Americans to come to the Hill.” He encouraged the community to embrace their identity and confidently participate in the political process.

NSF Director Dr. Seturaman Panchanathan discussed the strategic collaborations between NSF and Indian institutions, emphasizing joint projects in areas like Arctic exploration and AI in agriculture.

Ambassador Atul Keshap highlighted the contributions of Indian Americans, who, despite being only 1.5% of the US population, contribute 6% of the tax revenue. He advocated for ambitious efforts to maximize the potential of bilateral trade: “Let’s be more ambitious… so much more can energize our relationship.”

Congressman Dr. Rich McCormick called for a flexible immigration policy, stating, “We need a flexible, expansionist immigration policy for legal immigrants who do the right things.” He introduced a bipartisan bill to eliminate the 7% cap on green cards and reduce the backlog, emphasizing, “In democracy, numbers matter, and as the Indian American community is now bigger than the Jewish community, I think you can impact the next presidential election.”

Congressman Dan Meuser expressed admiration for PM Modi’s joint session speech, noting its positive reception. He highlighted the economic impact of Indian industries in Pennsylvania, mentioning “nearly a billion dollars of employment from Indian-national businesses.”

Dr. Mukesh Aghi, CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), emphasized the multifaceted nature of the US-India relationship, underscoring its geopolitical, economic, and domestic dimensions. He highlighted significant contributions, including $122 billion in intellectual assets and 300,000 chip designers, stressing the vital role of political engagement for sustained growth.

Jason Isaacson, Chief of Strategy at the American Jewish Committee (AJC), highlighted the potential of the I2U2 partnership and noted the increasing interest among innovators in the US, India, Israel, and the UAE. He expressed gratitude to the US, India, and the Indian diaspora for their support of Israel during challenging times in the Middle East.

Rep. Glenn Grothman praised the values upheld by Indian Americans and encouraged greater participation in civic and political processes. Despite late congressional voting, Reps. Gerry Connolly, Matt Cartwright, Andy Barr, and Brad Sherman sent messages of support. Delegates engaged with prominent officials, including Reps. Eric Swalwell, Bill Foster, Pat Fallon, Deborah Ross, Brittany Pettersen, Beth Van Duyne, Andy Biggs, Morgan McGarvey, Kim Schrier, Darin LaHood, and Jan Schakowsky.

FIIDS Policy Advocate Yogi Chugh highlighted that many advocates were youths under 30, showcasing the emerging leadership within the community. Community leaders such as Dr. Bharat Barai, Suhag Shukla, and Utsav Chakravarty praised FIIDS for its advocacy and awareness efforts on key issues affecting the Indian diaspora. The event successfully brought together prominent individuals and community leaders to advance the discussion on US-India relations, fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration between the two nations.

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