USINPAC had a number of notable achievements. Its efforts have proven productive for the Indian American community and India, in areas ranging from US foreign policy to civil rights.

Consistently and diligently building sophisticated relationships on Capitol Hill, USINPAC achievements include:

Hate Crimes

• Hosted a round table discussion on Hate Crimes, in cooperation with SMART, ADL, and IACPA
• The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA) by a vote of 65 to 33 on June 16, 2004
• The strengthened legislation provides the first major expansion of a 1968 statute that provides federal prosecution of crimes based on race, color, religion or national origin

Small Business

• Held briefing with SBA Director Hector Barreto and members of the Congress on July 8, 2004
• USINPAC enjoyed an outstanding victory of its advocacy to restore $79 million of federal funding for the SBA’s 7(a) loan program

Leadership

• USINPAC has established a process to provide Indian Americans an opportunity to serve in the upcoming administration
• USINPAC has facilitated appointments in key State Boards/Commissions
• USINPAC has supported the campaigns of Indian Americans for political office, including Bobby Jindal, the newly elected Congressman from Louisiana
• Leading small business coalition to promote and expand Indian American business access to federal contract and dollars.

HIV/AIDS Crisis in India

• High profile hearings and briefings which resulted in the passage of a Bill to designate India as the 16th country to receive Global AIDS funding.
• The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the amendment making India eligible for assistance under the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, on March 4, 2004
• Pending Senate and House legislations in 2005 designating India as the 16th country for the Global AIDS Fund (PEPFAR)

Immigration

• Held a dialogue with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), a ranking Member of the Subcommittee of Immigration, Border Security and Claims of the House Judiciary Committee and the Honorable Eduardo Aguirre, Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security on immigration problems facing the Indian community on June 15, 2004
• Led the effort to make sure that a bill proposed by Congressman Tom Tancredo to kill the H-1B visa program never becomes law by passage through the US House of Representatives
• In 2004 and 2005, leading business coalition effort to renew the V1 visa, to expand H1b visa and to reinstate the J1 visa

Exclusion of India from Special Registry

• USINPAC worked with like-minded organizations to influence the US Department of Homeland Security to suspend a provision of the Special Registration Program (the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System or “NSEERS”).

Annual Delegations to India

• In January 2004, USINPAC led a delegation of Indian American business and community leaders to New Delhi.
• In Janurary 2005, USINPAC led a delegation of Indian American business and community leaders to New Delhi and Mumbai in and met with the Hon’ble PM, and Ministers for External Affairs, Defense, Home, Communications & IT, Science & Technology, Tourism, Overseas Indian Affairs, Minister of State in PM’s Office, and the Health Secretary. Subsequent to the meetings, USINPAC hosted a press conference at Delhi, attended by top Indian media, and elaborated on its mission and objectives. Amongst corporate India, USINPAC had substantial meetings with Mukesh Ambani (Chairman, Reliance Industries Ltd.), Deepak Parekh (Chairman, HDFC Bank), Vijay Mallya (Chairman, UB Group), and K Chauker (Managing Director, Tata Industries), while industry associations in Delhi (ASSOCHAM) and Mumbai (Indian Merchants Chamber) hosted panel discussions for the USINPAC delegation.

“Friends of India” Caucus in the Senate

• With the support of the USINPAC and its highly active membership base, the U.S. Senate Caucus on India and Indian Americans was officially launched on April 29, 2004
• The Co-Chairs of the Caucus are Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). Thirty-five U.S. Senators have joined the U.S. Senate India Caucus

Anti-Terror/Proliferation Initiative

• In 2003, USINPAC got an amendment passed by the U.S. House of Representatives requiring the Administration to disclose to Congress the extent to which Pakistan is fulfilling its commitments to clamp down on cross-border terrorism; shut down terrorist camps in Pakistan-held Kashmir; and halt the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology to rogue states and terrorists
• In 2004, USINPAC got an amendment passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that required the CIA to submit a report demonstrating Pakistani cooperation on safeguarding against and combating WMD proliferation, identifying the size and stockpile of Pakistani fissile materials as well as Pakistani efforts to combat terrorism, dismantle terrorist camps and strengthen democratic institutions.
• In 2004 and early 2005, USINPAC facilitated a Congressional letter to the President co-signed by the House India Caucus Co-Chairs Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Gary Ackerman protesting sale of      F-16s to Pakistan
• In all instances, where USINPAC advocates stronger measures to address terrorism emanating from South Asia we emphasize the need for increased developmental assistance to Pakistan through US government and NGOs. USINPAC advocates strong democratic reform, empowerment of women, reform of the public education system, secular government, and freedom of speech and religion in Pakistan. USINPAC supports the position of Indian-Americans who believe that victory in the global war against terrorism must be based on alliances with countries that share our values, this includes integration of Pakistan into the international community of nations.

Above are some examples of the passion and hard work of the USINPAC team that is creating an effective representation for Indian Americans and influencing US policy.