PM Narendra Modi's Trip to Help Showcase Indians' Contributions: Ami Bera

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Silicon Valley this week would help showcase achievements and contribution of Indians and Indian-Americans to the technology industry, a top American lawmaker has said. 

"This trip to Silicon Valley will help showcase the exciting contributions Indians and Indian-Americans make to the U.S. technology industry," Congressman Ami Bera, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for India and Indian Americans, said. 

Bera, who is the only Indian-American Congressman in the current Congress, said that under Modi's leadership, the bilateral relationship has been revitalised and India has undergone a domestic transformation while engaging with the world and continuing to serve as a democratic model. 

"Your visit to the United States provides an opportunity to reflect on the effects your leadership has had on the U.S.-India relationship over the last year," he said. 

"We applaud your and President (Barack) Obama's commitment to the strategic partnership which has already led to several accomplishments including the Delhi Declaration of Friendship, the adoption of a Joint Strategic Vision for Asia and Pacific and Indian Ocean region, and the announcement of renewal of the 10-year Defense Cooperation Agreement," he said in a letter to the Prime Minister. 

Close India-U.S. collaboration has led to progress in several areas including counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, cyber-security, science and technology, knowledge economy, energy, space, and health to name just a few, he said. 

"We are excited to see how it progresses in the near future for both countries. Additionally, your decision to open up domestic markets to foreign direct investment has helped grow U.S. investment into India to USD 28 billion. And at the same time, trade between our countries has reached about USD 120 billion," Bera wrote in the letter. 

"We look forward to your upcoming trip to California, which marks the first time an Indian head of government has visited the Golden State in 33 years," he said. 

Bera said it was clear that Modi's last trip to the U.S. provided the momentum needed to refocus the U.S.-India ties. 

"We are hopeful that your second visit will lead to the continuation and deepening of the Indian investment into the U.S. economy, as well as the use of US technological knowledge to drive more development in India," he said. 

"What has cemented the renewed bilateral commitment is the maturity of the relationship," he said, adding this has been reflected at the highest levels, with Modi and Obama driving the relationship, and at the citizen-to-citizen level. 

The U.S. has greatly benefited from the contribution of millions of Indians and Indian-Americans living here. These people-to-people relationships will ensure that our partnership will only flourish for years to come, he added.
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