Washington, DC : In a tersely worded statement released on his congressional website on Jan 06 2016, Texas Congressman Ted Poe cautioned that the recent terror attack on Pathankot airbase, in Northern India serves us as a reminder that both US and India face the threat of radical Islamic terrorism.
On Jan 1, 2016, terrorists infiltrating across the Pakistani border into India launched an attack on the Pathankot air base, one of India’s largest air force installations near the border. At least seven Indian soldiers were killed in the fighting, which lasted for 4 days.
Preliminary investigations and reports indicate that the terrorists at Pathankot airbase received training and assistance from the Pakistani military. Without mincing words, Poe pointed out that India’s neighbor Pakistan has for long ‘proven to be a safe haven for terrorists and a launch pad for covert terroristic actions around the world.’ As an ally to India, Poe demanded that the US should immediately reevaluate the aid package to Pakistan and stop sending money to nations that provide assistance to terrorists. Poe reaffirmed his “support for India during this tragedy and urged all nations in the region, including Pakistan, to join together to bring the attackers to justice.”
Congressman Ted Poe, a leading advocate in Washington for limited government, free markets, low taxes and individual liberty, serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. Prior to serving in Congress, Ted Poe served for 22 years as a criminal court judge in Houston, Texas. An outspoken advocate on national security and justice Poe regularly visits US troops stationed in Afghanistan and around the world.
Mr. Sanjay Puri, an authority on US-India relations thanked Congressman Poe’s strong condemnation of the Pathankot terror attack and welcomed his call to reevaluate the US aid package to Pakistan.
About USINPAC:
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community. Visit www.usinpac.com for more details.
]]>The visiting education and industry experts from India include Ms. Bharaty Arun Subbu Rangan, Assistant Professor of Management Studies, Pondicherry University Community College, Mr. Nikhil Gala, Chairperson, Corporate Relations and Placements, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies University, Mr. Avanish Kumar, Senior Program Leader, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, Mr. Shashi Chandra Sharma, Director, Acropolis Technical Campus and Ms. Soya Thomas, Program Manager, Gender Self Learning Program, State Poverty Eradication Mission, Kerala.
The Indian experts will engage with U.S. companies in the automotive, hospitality, construction, agriculture, and healthcare sectors, assist in exploring and cooperating relationships between industry and vocational education institutions, closely examine curriculum development for community college and vocational/technical schools and learn more about cooperative efforts between vocational schools and local workforce development.
USINPAC welcomed the visitors from India by hosting a meeting for them at Thompson Coburn LLP’s offices in Washington DC.
Mr. Sanjay Puri, encouraged the visiting experts to fully engage in this opportunity to establish and nurture the skill development and education sector in India saying, “India’s biggest asset is its youth, which is hungry for knowledge and technical skills, we can fully harness this potential by cooperating and learning from the success of the US technological experience.”
About USINPAC:
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community. Visit www.usinpac.com for more details.
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Indian American Harris Had Been Campaigning and Raising Funds for A Year Now
Washington, DC: California Attorney General Kamala Harris on Feb 24th threw in her hat into the Senate race, by filling paperwork at the L.A. County registrar’s office in Norwalk. Harris is running for the seat being vacated by Sen. Barbara Boxer, who retires from her post at the end of her term in 2017.
Born to an Indian mother, a breast cancer specialist Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris and a Jamaican American father, Stanford University Economics Professor, Donald Harris, Harris is already a frontrunner, leading in the polls.
Education, the economy, the environment and equality are some of the key issues that Harris would be focusing on. Truly connecting with the voters will be her strategy, adding “That’s everything from what we need to do around continuing to fight for the rights for our LGBT brothers and sisters, to what we need to do around immigration reform, to what we need to do around protecting a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body,” Harris said.
A rising Democratic star, Harris had campaigned for Obama in both his presidential bids, and Obama returned the favor by fundraising for Harris during her successful 2010 campaign to become California’s first female and first minority attorney general. On her name being featured in the list of potential nominees to the Supreme Court, Harris on a recent campaign stop had declared, “I’m not putting my name in for consideration. I do not wish to be considered. I am running for the United States Senate.”
If Harris wins the seat, she would be the first Indian American to ever serve in the Senate and the second-ever African-American woman.
Calling her a brilliant lawyer and a crusader for public safety, education and the environment, Sanjay Puri, Chairman of USINPAC welcomed Attorney General Harris’ bid for the senate seat and vowed to dedicate the PAC’s advocacy efforts in making it a successful one.
About USINPAC:
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community. Visit www.usinpac.com for more details.
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USINPAC hosts fundraiser in Philadelphia
Washington, DC: USINPAC co- hosted a fundraiser for Democrat Katie McGinty on Friday, February 26th in Philadelphia, along with USINPAC Leadership Committee member Michael Thevar.
Katie McGinty, held leadership positions in the fields of environmental redevelopment and specialty construction, clean energy and water businesses and in equity and debt management. In 2014, McGinty ran as candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, losing to Tom Wolf, who then appointed her his chief of staff.
Katie McGinty has spent time in India and worked as energy-research fellow at the Tata Energy Research Institute in Delhi. Having lived and worked in India for so long, McGinty adopted two infant girls, who are now 14.
The fundraiser comes close on the heels of McGinty, picking up endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Gov. Tom Wolf, former Gov. Ed Rendell and the state’s major labor unions, a rarity considering that this is seen as a wide-open, high-stakes election for the Democratic Party.
Successful Indian American businessman Mr. Michael Thevar was clear in his support for McGinty saying “Katie is important because of her roots to India and she will support India in times of crisis. She is much better than any other person running in the race as she has commitment towards India and knows a lot about it. It will be a great support for us.”
About USINPAC:
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community. Visit www.usinpac.com for more details.
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Washington, DC: The US Senate on Feb 19 confirmed nominees to several ambassadorships and key administrative posts including that of Sunil Sabharwal as Alternate Executive Director to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a post for which President Obama had nominated Sabharwal first in April 2014 and again in March 2015. Sunil Sabharwal is an independent Indian American investor, whose confirmation hearing was held in May of last year. He was sworn-in earlier this week, and has assumed his position yesterday.
Sabharwal was born in New Delhi to an Indian printing entrepreneur and his mother is of Hungarian descent. As a child, Sabharwal moved to Budapest with his mother and in 1983 they fled the Hungarian Communist regime, and received asylum in the US. Sabharwal has impressive academic credentials from The Ohio State University (OSU), London Business School (LBS) and UK’s Institute of Directors (IOD).
In post-Communist Hungary, Sunil Sabharwal was instrumental in setting up the Budapest office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and subsequently joined its Financial Institutions team in London. Sabharwal spent 10 years in private equity and mergers and acquisitions at GE Capital and First Data/Western Union, and completed numerous investments and sat on several boards. From 2011 to 2013, Sabharwal served as Chairman of the Board of Ogone, a Brussels based European e-commerce payment Services Company during which period he also launched the company’s US and Indian operations.
A keen and gifted fencer, Sabharwal is a former NCAA All-American and Big Ten Champion. He was Chief of Mission of the US Olympic Fencing team to the Beijing Olympics in 2008. His other Olympic roles have included being member of the IOC’s Sport & Environment commission.
Sabharwal says “I truly appreciate the help of USINPAC and its Chair, Mr Sanjay Puri, who have mobilized support across state and constituency lines within the Indian -American community. I am touched by their pro-active engagement, am proud to serve as one of them, and am really looking forward to joining the IMF in this important role.”
USINPAC congratulates Indian American Sunil Sabharwal on his confirmation as US Alternate Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund and wishes him much success at this prestigious post and for his future endeavors.
About USINPAC:
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community. Visit www.usinpac.com for more details.
]]>August 01, Washington DC. Today, the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) concluded the grassroots campaign launched two months ago urging Speaker John Boehner to schedule a Joint Session of Congress Address by Prime Minister Modi.
Due to the Prime Minister’s brief U.S. sojourn, the intervening U.S. Congressional holiday schedule, and the House of Representatives’ urgency to leave Washington to prepare for the November elections in their home districts, a Joint Session Address by Prime Minister Modi will not take place in September 2014. However, the USINPAC membership came away with an exceptional understanding that the journey – building a case for an enduring bilateral relationship – has been more important than the destination. To this end, USINPAC wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to each and every member of Congress – Senate and House – who have engaged with our membership in this bipartisan effort.
USINPAC extends thanks to Senators Mark Warner, John Cornyn, Tim Kaine, Jim Risch, and the Senate India Caucus, for sponsoring a resolution urging a Joint Session of Congress Address by Prime Minister Modi and noting that this measure is a first in Senate History.
USINPAC extends thanks to Congressmen Joe Crowley, Pete Roskam, and the House India Caucus for writing to, speaking with and urging Speaker John Boehner to schedule a Joint Session Address by Prime Minister Modi. USINPAC extends thanks to Congressmen Brad Sherman, Ted Poe, Eni Faleomavaega for leading the “Dear Colleague” letter urging Speaker Boehner to schedule a Joint Session of Congress Address by Prime Minister Modi.
USINPAC extends thanks individually to the following Members of Congress (in alphabetical order) who signed the Sherman-Poe “Dear Colleague” letter: 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, 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, 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, Allyson Y. Schwartz, David Schweikert, Pete Sessions, Brad Sherman, Albio Sires, Adam Smith, Lamar Smith, Jackie Speier, Steve Stivers, Steve Stockman, Dina Titus, Michael Turner, Pete Visclosky, Maxine Waters, Tim Walberg, Randy Weber, Roger Williams, and Ted Yoho.
USINPAC extends thanks to Speaker John Boehner for discussing with USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri and USINPAC leadership the scheduling challenges for a Joint Session Address by Prime Minister Modi during his upcoming visit to the United States. USINPAC hopes to continue its dialogue with the US Congress in order to support accelerated US-India strategic partnership and an effective working relationship with the new Government in India.
]]>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.
]]>Consistent with the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) nationwide grassroots campaign, the resolution further outlines a significant road map to a jump start in U.S.-India trade and strategic partnership, including an expedited White House appointment of a new American Ambassador to New Delhi.
USINPAC’s Legislative Team and the organization’s significant grassroots membership, who had participated in extensive Congressional outreach were delighted with the text of the resolution which was made public today.
USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri remarked: “I believe that the remarkable election in India and the transition to a new Government there has led the way to a re-energized US-India partnership. The United States Senate made history today since never before has a Senate Resolution asked for a Joint Session of Congress by a Foreign Head-of-State.”
USINPAC Director for US-India LNG Initiative Rahul Sreenivasan, pointed out: “We are proud to be Americans of Indian Heritage and we are looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the United States.”
]]>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.
]]>The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians. The PBSA is conferred by the President of India as a part of the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention. The convention has been organized annually since 2003 and the award recognizes a Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian Origin or an organization or institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin, who has made significant contribution to society.
In a statement issued today, the PBSA awardees wrote, “We extend our warm wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his new government on assuming office in India. The global Indian Diasporas, as always, remains committed to the goodwill and image of India. We are honored to felicitate you on this momentous occasion. We look forward to engaging with a rejuvenated and vibrant India”
The statement has been signed by
1.Mr. Hasan Abdulkarim Chougule (Qatar),
2.Mr. Bava Haji Pandalingal (Abu Dhabi),
3.Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia (Indonesia),
4.Mr. Harindrapal Singh Banga (Hong Kong)
5.Dr Bikas Chandra Sanyal (France),
6.Lord Karan Bilimoria (UK),
7.Ms. Patricia Mario Rasario (UK), and
8.Lord Meghnad Desai (UK)
This initiative among the PBSA awardees from various countries was arranged by the Washington, DC based US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC). “We are so glad to launch this initiative with some of the most accomplished amongst the global Indian Diaspora. PBSA awardees are highly respected and influential in their adopted countries, and they can contribute in a meaningful manner to the making of a vibrant India”, said Mr. Sanjay Puri, chairman of USINPAC.
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