Interaction between Indian lawmakers and members of the US Congress is important and should be institutionalized
The pace of Indo-US bilateral relations is increasing continuously. While there are regular interactions between officials at various levels and in all spheres, as well as people-to-people engagement, there is no formal interaction between Members of Parliament in India and members of the US Congress.
trip to india
In November, a congressional delegation (CODEL) led by US Senator John Cornyn visited Indo-Pacific command countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan and India. In New Delhi, the six-member delegation held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and representatives of the Dalai Lama. Senator Cornyn is a senior member of the Republican Party and co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Mr Modi and members of the delegation noted the “increasing convergence of strategic interests” between India and the US and said they would “further enhance cooperation to promote global peace and stability”.
After the visit, Senator Cornyn said, “The Indo-Pacific is the largest military theater in the world, and our allies are invaluable in ensuring that we can counter China’s overreach. Our delegation traveled from mainland India to the Pacific region.” I was able to see firsthand the issues facing countries even to the island partners. China’s overhang was visible in the backdrop. Mr Modi expressed his appreciation for the continued support of the US Congress in deepening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and Appreciated the constructive role, Shri Modi and CODEL exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation on contemporary global issues such as terrorism, climate change and credible chain for critical technologies.
Last month, Senator Cornyn and Democrat ally Mark Warner urged President Joe Biden to grant an exemption to India, which faces the prospect of sanctions for its purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia. Two days after returning from his visit to India, Senator Tommy Tuberville, a member of CODEL, supported India’s presidential exemption under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Work is underway on Capitol Hill on this issue.
The importance of CODEL travel is not lost in the US as members of the US Congress play an important role in determining foreign policy, which is at times determined by the demands of constituents. But despite the strength in India-US relations, there is no institutional communication or interaction between lawmakers and members of the US Congress in India. Noting that there is popular and political support in both countries for a strong India-US partnership, the joint statement at the end of the 2+2 talks in 2019 said: “The Ministers agreed to establish India-US Parliamentary Exchanges. look forward to Facilitating reciprocal visits by Parliamentarians of both countries”. With the next edition of the 2+2 dialogue being held shortly, the minister is expected to check the progress on this aspect. India is taking this forward through the Indian Parliamentary Group. which serves as a link between the Indian Parliament and various world parliaments. In 1953, the group first invited the then US Vice President Richard Nixon to address lawmakers in the Central Hall of Parliament. Over the years, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have also addressed lawmakers in Central Hall.
shaping foreign relations
At present, India has eight Parliamentary Friendship Groups including Japan, Russia, China and the European Union. America is missing from this list. It is important to note what former Congressman and veteran Democrat Jim McDermott, former co-chair and leading India Caucus on the House side, said: Legislative dialogue injects dynamism into bilateral relations. Dr. McDermott was part of the CODEL led by John Lewis to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic visit to India. CODEL travels around the world during the period when Congress takes a break from legislative work. The interactions during these visits have been instrumental in shaping relations with foreign countries.
India’s relationship with the US Congress dates back to November 17, 1954, when Vice President S Radhakrishnan presented the Senate with a gavel to replace the hourglass-shaped piece of ivory that had shattered during a heated debate when Nixon used it. Radhakrishnan hoped that Gavel would inspire senators to debate “with passion and freedom from prejudice”. In 2022, as Parliament celebrates its 70th year, a formal arrangement with Congress could institutionalize this unique relationship between representatives of the US and India.
Prasad Kunduri is a journalist and former Fulbright-APSA Fellow of the US Congress.
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