Washington DC : USINPAC submitted testimony for historical purposes before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation regarding U.S. Interests in South Asia. The hearing was held by the direction of Chairman Brad Sherman. The full text of remarks by Sanjay Puri, Chairman of USINPAC, may be accessed at USINPAC.org.
In summary, Puri commended Chairman Sherman for holding the hearing at a time when India just held the largest election the world has ever seen. “Prime Minister Modi is a one-of-a-kind leader,” Puri stated for the record. “The U.S. and India must find new ways to work together.”
“As of June 5, 2019, the U.S. stripped India of its special trade status. Excluding India from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) isn’t good for the U.S. or India,” Puri said. “Both sides will feel the economic crunch brought on by tit-for-tat tariffs. But I am hopeful that as a result of this hearing that the U.S. might re-think India. The U.S.-India relationship is critical to ensuring peace and stability in the region and the world.”
Puri called for the U.S. to review the IMF’s preliminary $6 billion bailout agreement with Pakistan and to investigate whether Pakistan violated the U.S. F-16 User Agreement during its raid on India military installations in Kashmir after the Pulwama attack.
Puri also advocated for fairer treatment of small and medium-sized companies in the federal marketplace. “For the Asian Pacific American community, it is important for us to have leaders in Congress willing to promote equal opportunity, advancement and inclusion for all,” Puri said, thanking Chairman Sherman for his outstanding service as co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans and as Chairman of the Subcommittee. “Your work is noticed and appreciated,” Puri said.
Puri also recognized Ranking Member Ted Yoho, Subcommittee Members, and Congressman Steve Chabot, and expressed thanks for the opportunity that was extended to USINPAC to have testimony included for the record.
USINPAC is a bi-partisan organization a voice of over 3.2 million Indian Americans. We connect our members to candidates of their choice. During the 2020 election cycle, we will be hosting events across the country to make sure Indian Americans are heard. If you would like to be part of this historic effort and bring about outcomes that matter, sign up for our email updates and get involved today at www.usinpac.com