Re-Energizing the US-India Partnership
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the United States for his first visit since his historic election victory. His trip comes at an important time. The U.S. and India are natural partners with shared values and common interests, yet we are far from realizing the full potential of our relationship to the mutual benefit of both of our countries.
On behalf of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and my Indian-American constituents in New Jersey, I welcome the Prime Minister to the United States. I am confident that his visit will reinvigorate and refocus our partnership so that concrete progress is made in a host of sectors.
India’s new government has won an historic mandate to deliver change and reform. We should be ready to help India meet these challenges – through policies that bolster trade and investment, strengthen defense cooperation, and deepen our security partnership.
The U.S. and India are engaged in a comprehensive set of diplomatic dialogue and working groups. This is a relationship that does not suffer from a lack of communication or familiarity. It has, however, unfortunately suffered from a lack of results. With a strong push from the Prime Minister, President Obama and Congress, the time is right for these dialogues to translate into action.
On the economic front, there is broad support in the U.S. for a more robust trade relationship with India. India has raised foreign investment ceilings in several sectors of the Indian economy, including defense, railways, e-commerce and insurance. These are important steps that have helped to ease some of the concerns American companies have had about barriers to entering the Indian market. However, more must be done and the U.S. and India should work together to address these remaining barriers as they hold back our companies and inhibit job creation.
During his visit to India last summer, Vice President Biden laid out an ambitious trade target with New Delhi, calling for our annual bilateral trade to increase from $100 billion to $500 billion. This is where our relationship has the most room to grow. I expect that Prime Minister Modi and President Obama will reconvene the trade discussions this year, which will provide a platform to improve the economic and trade relationship. Prime Minister Modi’s visit will also present an opportunity to re-engage on World Trade Organization negotiations, where India’s concerns are the last remaining barrier to important agreement that will seek to ease hurdles to global trade.
The protection of intellectual property by India is another key concern for U.S. companies looking to do business in the country. I welcome the Indian government’s announcement that it will develop a comprehensive intellectual property rights (IPR) policy over the next six months. This review needs to open a door for significant reforms that improve the IPR environment so that businesses in both of our countries have the necessary legal protections. Business needs to deliver products to consumers without concern that their intellectual property is being stolen or pirated.
Thankfully, India is an indispensable partner of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region, and we have a shared national interest to defeat terrorism, prevent weapons proliferation, and maintain regional stability. As the international community works to confront ISIS, the U.S. and India should be prepared to increase counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation and coordination, and both sides should commit to a robust set of joint exercises.
In Afghanistan, India has been a key development assistance provider and supporter of the Afghan National Security Forces. As the United States seeks to bolster Afghanistan’s economic links in the region, India will continue to have a critical role to play in promoting trade within South and Central Asia.
I proudly represent a vibrant Indian-American community who are leaders across New Jersey in a multitude of sectors including business, medicine and law. We should be expanding the opportunities for deeper interaction among our citizens in all fields, especially education. The best and the brightest from both sides should be exchanging ideas and building on the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in both countries.
The values shared between the United States and India are extensive and the potential for cooperation and progress is limitless. With Prime Minister Modi’s partnership, as well as active engagement by the Indian-American diaspora, we should have confidence in our ability to achieve results and work toward a more prosperous and secure future. I am proud to welcome Prime Minister Modi to the United States and wish him a successful visit.
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