Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

Washington, D.C., has many powerful congressional caucuses that stand out, yet, the Caucus on India, having a membership of nearly 200 prominent leaders of the U.S. Congress, is one of a kind. The Statement and Purpose of the Caucus is outlined in these pages along with its history, and its present and future agendas.

The fact that so many members of Congress consider it an honor to be a part of the Caucus is the proof that India and America enjoy a special bond; a bond nurtured by the freedom of the human spirit, the principles of democracy, and rule of law. The India Caucus, in the past, has highlighted such issues as the loss of 62,000 lives to terrorism in India in the past decades, the need for the U.S. and India-along with Israel-to fight against those who alienate democracy and take up terrorism, and the Gujarat earthquake.

The India Caucus has been a pioneer in bringing the U.S. and India together!

Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

Co-Chairs of the Caucus 1993-2004

108th Congress: The Largest India Caucus in U.S. Congress

Statement of Purpose and Caucus By-Laws

Statement of purpose

The Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans shall be a bi-partisan organization of Members of the United States Congress. Its goals shall be to:

Advocate the interests of the more than two million Americans in the United States who were born in India or are of Indian ancestry, and;
Promote and strengthen relations between the United States, the world's oldest democracy, and India, the world's largest democracy.

Election and duties of the Co-Chairs

The Caucus shall have two Co-Chairs, one Republican, and one Democrat. The Co-Chairs shall serve for a period of two years, starting at the end of a Congress. A Co-Chair may not succeed himself or herself for a second Congress, and shall not be eligible to serve as Co-Chair for a period of at least four years from the date the Member last served as Co-Chair. The Co-Chairs shall have the authority to call meetings, schedule speakers and provide general organizational support of the Caucus. However, the Co-Chairs are expected to consult regularly with the Caucus and keep the Members of the Caucus informed of their activities. Election of the Co-Chairs shall be by motion by an existing Member of the Caucus at a meeting held at the end of a Congress. Election shall be by a simple majority of those Caucus Members present and voting.

Election and duties of the Executive Committee

The Caucus shall have an Executive Committee of eight Members, four Republicans and four Democrats. Members of the Executive Committee shall be nominated by a Member of the Caucus and shall be elected by a simple majority of the Caucus Members present. A Member may serve as a Member of the Executive Committee for no more than four successive Congresses.

Appointment of Members to head task forces

The Caucus Co-Chairs shall appoint Members of the Caucus to serve as heads of various Task Forces. These Task Forces will allow more Caucus Members to assume visible leadership roles in the Caucus.

Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

Proposed Activities

108th Congress

The Caucus will serve primarily as a forum for information sharing on issues affecting India and the Indian American community. The Caucus will therefore seek to undertake the following efforts and engage in the following activities:

• Arrange regular briefings on legislative and policy initiatives and other issues of interest to Caucus members by U.S. officials, visiting officials from India and the Sub-Continent, leaders of the Indian American community, and other experts on subjects of interest to the Caucus; one topic in particular would be the mutual problem of global terrorism that both U.S. and India face.
• Providing regular summaries of ongoing developments in India, the Sub-Continent, and the Indian American community. Creating a "Brain Trust" of the past Chairman of the India Caucus to utilize their skills and knowledge of Indian issues.
• Offering draft op-ed columns, speeches, or other outreach materials on issues of interest to members. Arranging a conference for Indian American business leaders to discuss trade and economic development of the subcontinent with members of the Caucus.
• Organizing a 10-year celebration of the creation of the India Caucus. Organizing events for Indian holidays, festivals, and other special occasions.

U.S. House and Senate-Part I

U.S. Congress funding for the study of diabetes among Indian Americans *

Indian Americans have gained friendship at the Hill and their efforts to fund a study on diabetes among the community were supported by Congressman Steny Hoyer, Congressman Frank Pallone, Senator Thad Cochran, Congressman Joe Wilson, Senator Harry Reid and Senator Arlen Spector. Many members of Indian physician organizations worked on this project to get $11 million in funding.

*(India West, February 2003)

Rep. Joe Wilson and Rep. Frank Pallone condemn massacre of Hindus in Kashmir *

Twenty-four Hindu villagers, including women and children, were murdered by Islamic fundamentalist terror groups in Kashmir. Both lawmakers repeatedly urged the Bush administration to put more pressure on Pakistan to end its support to militants. Congressman Pallone cautioned the administration that any military support to Pakistan will be turned around and used against India.

* (Press Trust of India, April 2003)

Sen. Brownback seeks to improve U.S.-India relations*

The Senator urged the administration to improve the anomalies in the U.S. trade policy that are impending U.S. business penetration of the Indian market. But, Europe and Russian markets are increasingly cornering India's growing market for high technology, defense and energy, while American firms are constrained by U.S. regulations.

*(India Post, April 4, 2003)

Rep. Sue Kelly praises U.S.-India relations*

Sue Kelly, a new member of the India Caucus, pledged to work to improve U.S.-India relations. She thanked Indian Americans for contributing to the economy of this nation. She further assured that there are many good things coming together to build stronger bilateral relations. She sincerely urged Indian Americans to appraise her about relevant issues. *(India Post, April 2003)

U.S.-India relations growing steadily: The largest India Caucus on the Hill

The number of India bashers in the U.S. Congress has declined, thanks to the tireless efforts of the 200 members of the India Caucus in Congress.

The pro-India forces work through the India Caucus to further U.S.-India relations. During the Clinton administration, members such as Peter King, Randy Cunningham, Charles Wilson, Esteban Torres, Gary Condit, Pete Stark, Dana Rohrabacher and Phil Crane urged President Clinton to take an active diplomatic role in resolving the Khalistan crisis. In contrast, the handful of India bashers, led by Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana, blame Indian security forces for fighting international terrorism in Kashmir, work to separate the State of Punjab from the Union of India, and support the non-existent Khalistan.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee head, Senator Richard Lugar, and House International Relations Committee Chair Rep. Henry Hyde support close ties with India. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs is chaired by Senator Lincoln Chafee.

Senator Lugar has expressed his desire to travel to India on a bilateral visit. Rep. Henry Hyde is supportive of close ties with India. Representative Jim Leach will Chair the Sub Committee on Asia- Pacific. (2003)

Congressman Pallone introduced a resolution (in March 2003) suggesting that the U.S. Postal Service issue a stamp in honor of the Diwali festival. Congressman Sherrod Brown, a senior member of the International Relations Committee has worked hard to build stronger U.S. India relations.

"One of the rocks" on which Americans could build a strategic partnership is India, said Senator Joseph Biden, as he warned that dictators cannot protect the interests of U.S. and said the U.S. made a mistake by hastily embracing Pakistan after 9-11. Similar sentiments were expressed by Senator Barbara Boxer of California and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

Congressman Joe Wilson on Independence Day

Congressman Joe Wilson, Republican, South Carolina, made the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives on July 23, 2003:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend India on its annual celebration of Independence Day on August 15, 1947. Happy 56th birthday, Republic of India, the world's largest democracy and friend of America, the world's oldest democracy. On that day, India became a free nation, modeling its constitution after our own. For nearly 56 years, the people of India have faithfully adhered to democratic principles.

During the cold war, we were not allied as closely as we should have been. However, times have changed now. India's economy is rapidly reforming, and historic joint military exercises are taking place between our two great nations. According to Ambassador Mansingh, trade between India and America soared 23 percent last year. Also importantly, the Indian American community should be recognized for their leadership, entrepreneurship, family values, and faith.

Many Indian Americans left their homelands, immediately assimilated, and have achieved great success in America. As co-chair of the India Caucus, I am so proud of this dynamic community in South Carolina and nationwide. It's my sincerest hope that this new friendship between the United States and India blossoms into solid, serious relationship between mutual allies.

"In conclusion, God bless our troops."

"Since I joined the India Caucus last year, I have spoken out on the House Floor against the unremitting terrorism India faces in Kashmir. As a Colonel in the S.C. Army National Guard with 30 years of experience, I am very pleased to see the unprecedented military cooperation that is taking place between the U.S. and India. I am also looking forward to continuing our negotiations in the economic area, so that bilateral trade between our two countries finally reaches its potential."

Joe Wilson, May 27, 2003

Co-Chair, India Caucus