Rahul Srinivasan, USINPAC Director (LNG Initiative) commented: “The focus of our grassroots campaign has been to support two House bills (H.R.6, H.R. 2771) and a Senate companion bill (S.2494). If passed, the bills are intended to change current law and enable U.S. exports to India.”
Several members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and co-sponsors of the House Bills addressed the USINPAC-organized legislative briefing.
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX): “Like the Blue Bell ice cream company, our motto on LNG should be: We eat all we can, and we sell the rest. Where should we sell it? India.”
Rep. James Lankford (R-OK): “Exporting LNG is in the geopolitical best interest of the US and India.”
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX): “India buys natural gas from countries we don’t like and they don’t like… When I visited India last December, I saw a healthy democracy there … In India, I saw a strong willingness to work with America.”
USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri noted: “Through our regular interaction with lawmakers and their staff, topical Congressional Hearings, and our dialogue with Industry leaders who serve on our LNG Initiative Executive Committee, we are convinced that U.S. LNG export to India will significantly further the U.S.-India strategic partnership.”
Mr. Puri added: “We would like to see a break-through in the recent impasse in bilateral relations. An agreement on LNG trade during the September summit between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi will surely re-energize a partnership that is critical in these challenging times.” A historic first on Capitol Hill to be solely focused on U.S. LNG export to India, this was a point reiterated by the distinguished expert-panel at today’s briefing,: Ankit Desai, Cheniere Energy; Sadanand Dhume, American Enterprise Institute; Dr. David Montgomery, NERA Economic Consulting; Dr. Michael Canes, Logistics Management Institute; Erik Milito, American Petroleum Institute; and Sandra Safro, K & L Gates LLP.
]]>About the Event
Date/Time: July 30 (Wednesday), 2014 from 1:30 – 4:00 PM
Location: United States Capitol Visitor Center Room (CVC 217)
The purpose of the briefing is to inform offices of lawmakers and thought leaders about the tremendous potential for US LNG exports, the nature and scope of the LNG import market in India, how LNG can advance energy security, a critical US foreign policy goal in the region, and ways to expedite LNG trade between the two largest democracies of the world.
The agenda of the briefing will focus on the following key points:
•Significance of India as a trade partner of the US in LNG exports
•The DOE-FERC licensing process for approval of US LNG exports
•Potential for Legislative action to expedite US-India LNG trade
About USINPAC LNG Initiative
The LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) – Initiative is USINPAC’s project to decisively influence US policy on expediting LNG exports to India and thus help foster a long-term collaboration in LNG trade between the two countries. Expedited exports of LNG from the US could help set the stage for stronger trade relationships with India. The United States India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) has been a prominent voice on the Capitol Hill in endorsing US LNG exports to India. USINPAC was a significant contributor to the hearing on US LNG exports, organized by Congressman Ted Poe, Member of House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairman, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.
]]>At USINPAC’s request, a House Foreign Affairs Committee (Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific) Hearing on the same subject matter is scheduled for July 31, 2014. USINPAC has provided extensive briefings to each of the Senate and House Committees, including a list of subject matter experts who can testify on US-India trade and security relations.
At USINPAC’s request, the House of Representative is circulating A “Dear Colleague Letter” initiated by Congressman Brad Sherman supporting the issuance of an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress during his September visit to the United States. Also, at USINPAC’s request, a number of Congressmen have contacted Speaker Boehner directly supporting a Modi address to a Joint Session of Congress.
At USINPAC’s request, a significant Senate Resolution is under review by the Senate Caucus on India and Indian Americans resolving that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be able to address the United States Congress at the earliest opportunity. Since scheduling a Joint Session Address is the jurisdiction of John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representative, Senators reaching out to the Speaker with such a request would be the first such request in the history of the United States Senate.
]]>88 members in total are signing the letter thus far
Current Signers: Joe Barton, Ami Bera, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Gus Bilirakis, Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Mo Brooks, John Campbell, Tony Cardenas, John Carter, Donna Christensen, Judy Chu, David Cicilline, Curt Clawson, Mike Coffman, Chris Collins, Mike Conaway, Gerald Connolly, Jim Costa, Joe Courtney, Peter DeFazio, Ted Deutch, Eliot Engel, Anna Eshoo, Eni Faleomavaega, Bill Flores, Tulsi Gabbard, John Garamendi, Cory Gardner, Jim Gerlach, Kay Granger, Alan Grayson, Gene Green, Al Green, Michael Grimm, Denny Heck, Jeb Hensarling, Brian Higgins, Mike Honda, Bill Huizenga, Steve Israel, Bill Johnson, David Joyce, Joseph P. Kennedy III, Ron Kind, Peter King, Rick Larsen, Sheila Jackson Lee, Billy Long, Alan Lowenthal, Kenny Marchant, Carolyn B. Maloney, Mark Meadows, Gregory W. Meeks, Grace Meng, Mike Michaud, Randy Neugebauer, Pete Olson, Frank Pallone, Ted Poe, Ed Pastor, Ed Perlmutter, Scott Perry, David Price, Mike Quigley, Dana Rohrabacher, Bobby L. Rush, Loretta Sanchez, Brad Schneider, Allyson Y. Schwartz, David Schweikert, Pete Sessions, Brad Sherman, Albio Sires, Adam Smith, Lamar Smith, Jackie Speier, Steve Stivers, Steve Stockman, Eric Swalwell, Dina Titus, Michael Turner, Pete Visclosky, Maxine Waters, Tim Walberg, Randy Weber, Roger Williams, Joe Wilson, and Ted Yoho.
Deadline: Friday, July 18, 2014
Dear Colleague,
India’s newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States in late September 2014.
As you know, India is the world’s largest democracy and recently held the largest democratic election in history. The United States and India have a strategic partnership, and our nations share core values of individual freedom, religious pluralism, and electoral democracy.
Please join us in sending the letter below to House and Senate leadership asking for an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress. To sign on, please contact Siamak Kordestani with Rep. Sherman atSiamak.Kordestani@mail.house.gov or Mary Jacobson with Rep. Poe at Mary.Jacobson@mail.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Brad Sherman Ted Poe Eni Faleomavaega
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress
Text of letter:
RE: Invite Indian Prime Minister Modi to Address Joint Session in Late September 2014
Dear Mr. Speaker, Madam Minority Leader, Mr. Majority Leader, and Mr. Minority Leader,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Washington in late September 2014. Given the importance of our relationship with India, we ask you to invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress.
As you know, India recently held the largest democratic exercise in history; about 550 million people voted in free and fair elections.
Since recognizing India’s independence in 1947, the United States and India’s relationship has steadily grown. The United States and India share many core values, including religious pluralism, individual freedom, the rule of law, and electoral democracy.
We have an opportunity to build on the U.S-India strategic partnership to the benefit of both our nations. India is a growing economic power in a strategically important region of the world. New Delhi plays a critical role in regional peace and security.
In each of the last three decades, a Prime Minister of India has addressed a Joint Session of Congress, and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi will allow us to continue that tradition.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress
]]>“We welcome the increase in FDI cap in the defense and insurance sectors. Increased FDI in defense means not only more equity investments coming into India, but more importantly the technology transfer that will accompany such investments,” Puri said.
“This combination of more money and technology transfer will go a long way in helping India to stand up its own robust manufacturing and industrial production base, and also generate jobs in the manufacturing sectors. Whereas the hike in FDI in the insurance sectors will aid in the expansion of the insurance industry in India so that social safety nets, particularly for healthcare and innovations in low-cost and affordable insurance,can expand to reach more and more citizens of India,” the Chairman of USINPAC said.
Both of these developments are indeed commendable and global investors, including from the Indian Diasporas, will now be encouraged to participate in the development of the defense and insurance industries of India, he added.
During the Budget speech Jaitley had said that India is the largest buyer of defence equipment and the move to increase FDI in the sector will help boost domestic capacity.
The government’s decision is in line with the promises made by BJP during the election campaign to scale up India’s domestic defence industrial manufacturing base.
Industry bodies such as the Confederation of Indian Industry had wanted the Finance minister to restrict FDI in defence to 49%, with anything above this being considered on a case-to-case basis.
Indian companies, particularly engineering major Larsen & Toubro, have made significant investments in the defence sector and have been opposing the move to allow up to 100% FDI, saying that this wouldn’t be in the national interest.
“We should agree to 49%, subject to genuine transfer of technology. But nowhere in the world, even in the most advanced nations like the US, where they have in a hi-tech defense sector, do they allow foreign companies to own a majority stake,” L&T chairman AM Naik had told ET in an interview last month.
]]>Please call/ email your lawmaker to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter below.
Dear Colleague,
India’s newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States in late September 2014.
As you know, India is the world’s largest democracy and recently held the largest democratic election in history. The United States and India have a strategic partnership, and our nations share core values of individual freedom, religious pluralism, and electoral democracy.
Please join us in sending the letter below to House and Senate leadership asking for an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress. To sign on, please contact Siamak Kordestani at Siamak.Kordestani@mail.house.gov or 55911.
Sincerely,
| Brad Sherman Ted Poe Eni Faleomavaega |
| Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress |
Text of letter (that will be sent to Mr. Speaker, Madam Minority Leader, Mr. Majority Leader, and Mr. Minority Leader)
RE: Invite Indian Prime Minister Modi to Address Joint Session in Late September 2014
Dear Mr. Speaker, Madam Minority Leader, Mr. Majority Leader, and Mr. Minority Leader,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Washington in late September 2014. Given the importance of our relationship with India, we ask you to invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress.
As you know, India recently held the largest democratic exercise in history; about 550 million people voted in free and fair elections.
Since recognizing India’s independence in 1947, the United States and India’s relationship has steadily grown. The United States and India share many core values, including religious pluralism, individual freedom, the rule of law, and electoral democracy.
We have an opportunity to build on the U.S-India strategic partnership to the benefit of both our nations. India is a growing economic power in a strategically important region of the world. New Delhi plays a critical role in regional peace and security.
In each of the last three decades, a Prime Minister of India has addressed a Joint Session of Congress, and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi will allow us to continue that tradition.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress
]]>For its part, India has opposed provisions in immigration legislation passed by the U.S. Senate that would make it harder for India’s information technology workers to get temporary visas to work in the United States.
08 Dec 2013; Washington DC. On November 18, 2013, Congressman Joe Pitts and Congressman Frank Wolf introduced H. Res. 417, a Resolution intended to influence India’s upcoming elections by focusing on the 2002 Gujarat riots some 11 years after the fact.
USINPAC (US India Political Action Committee) has successfully led a grassroots lobbying effort in Washington DC to stop the above Resolution from going to the House Floor for a vote.
On December 7, 2013, less than one month after the Resolution’s introduction, Chairman Ed Royce of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to which H. Res. 417 was referred, issued a statement at USINPAC’s request:
“As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am focused on the critically important relationship between the United States and India. Our two nations share many common values and strategic interests. India plays a central role in the Asia-Pacific region, and we must do
our part to ensure that India is a centerpiece of America’s rebalance to Asia. H. Res. 417 weakens, rather than strengthens, the friendship between the U.S. and India. The resolution runs counter to all the hard work that the American people, particularly those in the Indian
American community, have done to improve the relationship.”
On December 5, 2013, days before Chairman Royce released his statement, Chairman Steve Chabot of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, which has broad jurisdiction for U.S. policy affecting the region, withdrew his name as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 417.
On December 2, 2013, Ranking Member Eni Faleomavaega, the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, released a press statement commending USINPAC for working with key leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to correct the misinformation put forward by H. Res. 417.
As Ranking Member Faleomavaega noted, H. Res. 417 purports to praise India’s rich religious diversity and commitment to tolerance and equality while reaffirming the need to protect the rights and freedoms of religious minorities. However, rather than praising India, the Resolution focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots some 11 years after the fact while failing to note that India’s Supreme Court has found no evidence against Mr. Modi.
From now until the elections in India, USINPAC will spare no effort in making sure the U.S. Congress does not intentionally or unintentionally influence the outcome of India’s upcoming elections. India is a sovereign nation and its citizens have a right to choose their leaders.
To read about Ranking Member Eni Faleomavaega’s recent announcement opposing this bill, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/HR417-oppose.
To read the Bill, please visit http://tinyurl.com/HR417-Text
]]>Mr. Biden held discussions with Ratan Tata, the former Chairman of the Tata Group, Azim Premji, who heads India’s leading Information Technology company Wipro, Pratyush Kumar, the President of Boeing in India, and four other business leaders.
The discussions, which took place at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai and lasted nearly an hour, were “full and frank,” Mr. Biden said after they concluded.
“There was an honest discussion about how both governments – the Indian government as well – could be productive in reducing trade barriers that have an impact on trade and commerce,” he added.
In recent months, U.S. businesses and members of Congress have written several letters to the U.S. government, complaining that India’s policies “distort” trade and investment and “discourage” innovation.
They are particularly upset by a “buy India” mandate, which requires a high percentage of technology goods in the country to be manufactured locally, and recent Indian decisions that deny patent protections for drugs in order to benefit India’s generic drug companies.Mr. Bi
den said after Wednesday’s meeting with business heads that India and the United States are “not at odds on any strategic objective,” but need to find ways to take the Indo-U.S. relationship forward.
“We mean what we say when we say that the relationship between India and the U.S. has unlimited potential and there is no reason why trade, commerce and intercourse between our countries can’t increase exponentially over time,” he said.
Mr. Biden emphasized that both sides share a common goal: empowering the middle classes. The U.S. is focused on “reinforcing the middle class” with good jobs, better access to healthcare and opportunities for a dignified retirement, he said, while India hopes to “generate the largest middle class in the history of humanity” to deal with poverty and raise standards of living.
The other leaders at the meeting included Kaku Nakhate, who is the head of Bank of America in India, Aslesha Gowariker, a lawyer at Desai & Diwanji, Siraj Chaudhry, of agribusiness giant Cargill India and Ashwini Kakkar of Mercury Travels.
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