Dynamism in India-U.S. ties

Context: Trajectory of India-U.S. bilateral ties continues to go up with regular interactions among officials and across sectors, as well as people-to-people engagement, but there are no formal interactions between Members of Parliament in India and members of the U.S. Congress.

Significance of the Congressional delegation led by U.S. Senator (CODEL) visit to India

• Reiterated the “increasing convergence of strategic interests” between India and the U.S. and need  to “further enhance cooperation... to promote global peace and stability”.
• Assurance to U.S allies and India by considering Indo-Pacific  the largest military theater in the world our allies there are to ensuring their  invaluable rolein countering China’s overreach.
• GoI appreciated the consistent support and constructive role of the U.S. Congress in deepening the India-U.S. comprehensive global strategic partnership.
• GoI and CODEL delegated exchanged views on enhancing the bilateral relationship and strengthening cooperation on contemporary global issues such as terrorism, climate change and reliable chains for critical technologies.
• CODEL visit important in foreign policy as U.S. Congress play an important role in determining foreign policy: CODEL member Senator Tommy Tuberville favoured India getting the presidential waiver under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

Way forward: 

• Institutionalise interactions legislative interactions through formal arrangement with Congress to  inject dynamism in bilateral relations  between Indian MPs and members of the U.S. Congress.
  • Congressional delegation (CODEL) should use the travel period to interact with Indian M.P.
  • Interactions during these travels are important in shaping relations with foreign countries.
  • Establishment of India-US Parliamentary Exchange to facilitate reciprocal visits by Parliamentarians of the two countries.
• Inclusion of US in eight Parliamentary Friendship Groups of India that  includes Japan, Russia, China and the European Union.

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