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Veteran congressmen back India's claim to permanent UN seat

John Paul

Two influential members of Congress are circulating a letter urging Bill Clinton to "push for closer ties with India" and demanding that Pakistan return to democracy and stop destabilising India.

The letter also nudges America to "send a clear and strong signal to highlight India's great potential to be a leading player on the world stage".

"We believe one of the best ways of doing this would be to publicly acknowledge the strength of India's claim to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council."

Benjamin Gilman (Republican, New York) and Sam Gejdenson (Democrat, Connecticut) are circulating their 'Dear Colleague' letter which seeks the signature of other like-minded lawmakers. Gilman is chairman of the Senate International Relations Committee. The letter will be handed over to the White House on March 16.

Among other things, it asks Clinton to exercise the waiver authority to "allow critically needed World Bank loans to India".

"These loans will be used by India to develop its infrastructure and to sustain economic activities in rural areas where the poorest people live."

"We urge you to frame your trip within a scope of broad political, economic, social and cultural considerations," the letter said.

"In this regard, we believe that building a long-term, enduring relationship with India should be paramount."

It gave several reasons to enhance ties between India and America.

• India and the United States share common democratic traditions. Portions of India's Constitution were modeled on our own.

• India and the United States have forged close economic and commercial links. India represents enormous opportunities for US firms to make new investments and enter new markets. Good relations with India can only increase the economic ties we currently have. A strong economy in India is a basis for lifting people out of poverty and for creating a strong democratic base.

• India and the United States have become linked centers of scientific and technological innovation. In the fast-changing world of high technology, the US and India have already begun a sharing process of information, of skills and of people that prov/ide great benefits for consumers in both countries. India has a highly trained corps of software engineers whose talents are being utilized here and in India.

• India and the United States, both victims of terrorism, have a shared interest in strengthening a regime to counter terrorism. Last month, the US and India agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism to enhance the effectiveness of both nations' efforts to combat terrorism worldwide.

The two Congressmen pointed out "with pride" the accomplishments of the millions of Indian-Americans now living in the United States "who have become embedded in the fabric of our society".

"They have simultaneously enriched our lives even as they have bettered their own."

On the subject of Pakistan, the letter said it was not enough to urge General Musharraf to establish a timetable for the restoration of democracy. He should shut down the terrorist activities.

"To the extent that one of the objectives of your trip will be to encourage the resumption of a dialogue between India and Pakistan, we believe it is important for General Musharraf to understand that unless he takes steps to terminate the efforts to destabilize India, there will be no hope of reviving the negotiations between Delhi and Islamabad."

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