US Senate introduces resolution to call Narendra Modi to address US Congress

Four top American senators have called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of the US Congress in a resolution introduced by them in the Senate.

Senators Mark Warner, John Cornyn, Tim Kaine and Jim Risch introduced the resolution that stresses on the importance of improving the US-India strategic partnership to promote stability, democracy, and economic prosperity.

Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate India Caucus, of which Kaine is a member. The resolution called the Obama administration to soon nominate an Ambassador to India and to develop a clear strategic plan for its relationship with the country. It underscored the importance of working cooperatively to make progress that will benefit both of the countries across a range of areas, including defense, trade, regional cooperation, education and skills development, infrastructure, and energy. "We have already seen progress in the US-India relations under the new Indian government, including the Pentagon naming Frank Kendall to lead the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative, lifting the cap on foreign direct investment in defense and insurance, a new emphasis on the US-India Community College initiative, and convening the a US-India Strategic Dialogue in Delhi this week," said Warner.

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He said the bilateral relationship continues to hold tremendous potential, and there is strong bipartisan support for expanding US-India cooperation. "This resolution sends a strong signal about the importance of the US-India Strategic Partnership and the bipartisan support the relationship enjoys on Capitol Hill," said Tim Kaine Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs. "Our relationship with India matters today, and it will be even more central to US interests in the decades to come. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Washington soon," he said. "The US-India Relationship is of great importance to me and the people of Idaho," said Risch.

He said the Idaho National Lab had been a leader in bilateral ties, especially through leading the technical nuclear cooperation. "I hope our administration and the new leadership in New Delhi will move quickly to improve our economic, military, and political cooperation," he said.

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