Pressure on White House to Repair Relationship with India

Pressure Building on White House to Repair Relationship with India by Inviting Modi

Washington, DC, April 21, 2014 — With results of the nine phase parliamentary elections in India due on May 16, and the likelihood as projected by media that Mr. Narendra Modi could be the next Prime Minister of India, many voices in the United States are counseling the White House that it should pay more attention to India.

In case Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister of India, one of his first international engagements is expected to be at the United Nations at New York – which holds a general assembly of all its members every year in the month of September.

According to many experts, the Obama administration has neglected the India relationship over the last years, and inviting the next Prime Minister of India to the White House will be the right thing it can do to repair and refresh the relationship. According to experts this becomes even more important if the next PM is Modi who has been vilified by the U.S. administration in the past.

Reacting to reports that there is increasing consensus among observers and the Indian American communities that President Barack Obama must seize the initiative and opportunity of the UN General Assembly to invite Modi to the White House, Dr. Stephen Cohen a senior analyst on South Asia affairs said, “It is indeed very important that White House shrug off its low interest in India and invite Modi to the White House if he becomes the Prime Minister. If President Obama has any concerns he can have a private conversation with Mr. Modi and set the future tone of U.S. –India relations”.

Meanwhile the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC), a leading Indian American organization says that many of its members are reaching out to their elected representatives to educate them about the importance of inviting Modi to the White House in case Modi becomes the PM, and visits New York for the UN meetings.

“According to various independent polls there is a strong likelihood of Mr. Narendra Modi becoming the next Prime Minister of India next month. President Obama must seize this opportunity of the UN General Assembly to invite Mr. Modi and give leadership to a relationship which seems to be languishing presently”, said Mr. Sanjay Puri, the chairman of USINPAC.

India’s relationship with the U.S., and especially if Modi becomes the Prime Minister, is poised at a critical juncture according to experts. Earlier this month, a hearing on human rights at the U.S. Congress drew sharp criticism from several Congressmen for its blatant attempt to vilify Modi. Among others Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Rep. Eni Faleomavaega had strongly castigated the timing of the briefing which they interpreted as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of India when the country was holding its elections.

About USINPAC:
US India Political Action Committee—USINPAC (http://www.usinpac.com/) is the political voice of 2.7 million Indian-Americans. As a bipartisan organization we work to impact policy on issues of concern to the Indian-American community in the United States. USINPAC has enhanced the community's presence and its issues on Capitol Hill and given Indian-Americans a stronger voice in the legislative process in a bipartisan manner. USINPAC's activities focus on strengthening a grassroots network to work on issues concerning the community.

USINPAC has been working to promote fair and balanced policies, and create a platform to enable the entry of Indian-Americans in the political process. Over the past 11 years, USINPAC has persistently worked to influence policy decisions and act as a watchdog for the Indian-American community and strong US India relations.

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