Connectivity of Washington DC and Delhi as a two-way street

Congress woman Ilhan Umar’s recent visit to Pakistan And his visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir received condemnation from India, and the United States became increasingly clear that the administration had not underwritten the visit by a member of Minnesota’s House of Representatives.

as the center

Capitol Hill has a special place in the United States Constitution and the Separation of Powers. The members of the legislative branch work independently to write laws to implement the administration. Members of Congress take a special interest in foreign policy and regularly monitor the policies adopted by governments around the world. These may be on a different track from the official policy followed by the administration at that time. Each member is said to have the same views on foreign policy as that of the Secretary of State.

Over the years, much water has flowed across the Potomac in Washington DC and the nature of representation in the United States Congress has changed in terms of issues pursued by members. These, in turn, depend on the nature of the districts, its constituents, issues of member interest, and the wider political debate.

On issues within the context of countries or development, Hill’s views are shaped by a combination of many factors, including outreach from the country at the official level, expatriates with members of Congress and staff, advocacy and professional lobbies at work. These provide continuous input that is complemented by independent position papers published by Congressional Research, prepared by subject matter experts.

Occasionally, the House or Senate conducts hearings on country/issue-specific topics, for example the Senate Sub-Committee on Asia, held last month on US policy towards India, where, among other issues , Jammu and Kashmir was included. Some of these concerns translate into a resolution, which in turn has an amplifier effect. In the final run-up, what matters is the determination of Congress or the passing of a law that binds the government.

add perspective, support

Today, while more Indian-Americans than ever are serving as members of the House of Representatives, accordingly, there has been an exponential growth of the second generation of community members who serve in separate branches of the administration and legislature, Adding a different dimension. They bring their own perspective to the offices that have accumulated in India through personal exchange of information from friends and various public sources.

It is well established that there is bipartisan support for India in the US, particularly Congress, which means that both Democrats and Republicans support engagement and developing ties with the country, which in turn continually facilitate the administration’s work. does, no matter what party he enjoys. The majority in Congress and the President in the White House.

For example, Hill worked uninterruptedly for more than two years at all levels in Congress before passing the historic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (with India) amid staunch opposition from non-proliferation advocates, most of them related to democratic Party. In the final phase, more than 100 members of the House and 13 senators (including independent Bernie Sanders) voted against it. It did not reflect the party line, unlike most of the delegates who went with the decision of GOP senators and Republican US President George W. Bush.

Among the Democrats who said no was Congressman Jim McDermott, a founding member of the India Caucus. The vote reflected his commitment to non-proliferation which eroded his affection for India. A vote and stand taken by a member does not follow party directives, but is governed by personal choice, unlike in India where the party makes decisions and members vote accordingly, and through whips on important laws .

Ilhan Omar raised Kashmir in occupied Indian territory, scathing remarks from New Delhi. Ms. Omar is known for advocating on issues such as education, environmental justice, immigration and health care, while in pursuit of foreign policy, the Congresswoman feels that human rights, justice and peace should be core to domestic values. should represent.

Its policy prescription does not support sanctions or interventionist measures. Much of his public life work is noted for his stance on issues of religion. Last December, he sponsored a bill tackling international Islamophobia that was approved by the House and is pending a Senate committee.

Immigrating to the US as a child from civil-conflict-torn Somalia, she was drawn to public office, winning a seat in the Minnesota House five years earlier to remove an established incumbent from a white-majority district. . In his book tracking the changing political landscape, People Like Us: A new wave of candidates is knocking on the doors of democracyWriter Sayu Bhojwani said: “Omar’s … [for state legislature] Organized many stakeholders…young, immigrant, and progressive… beyond individual voters… organizers in the Black Lives Matter movement, the business community in the East African community, local imams, and the media … around issues that directly affect these communities.” Today, Ms. Omar remains influential in a leadership role as whip in the Democratic Party’s Progressive Caucus.

has many layers

Voices are reaching offices across the corridor on the Hill, offering a different view of what is happening in India and other parts of the world. There are many members who form opinions based on various inputs and express them on various forums.

The need to continue engagement with the offices in Congress, its emerging leadership and the creation of a counter-narrative will require effort beyond formal and informal official interaction. It is an ongoing process and a two-way street.

KV Prasad is a senior journalist and former Fellow of the Fulbright-American Political Science Association in the US Congress