Congressman Thanedar bats for stronger India-US ties
THE relationship between India and the US has not been as strong as it needs to be, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has said, vowing that he will work to strengthen economic ties that benefit both countries and help enhance cooperation between their people.
Thanedar, 67, represents the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, which mainly comprises parts of Detroit and its suburbs. He was sworn in as a member of the US House of Representatives early this month.
He became the fifth Indian-American
to be in the current Congress, joining Dr Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal.
‘I think historically, this (India-US relationship) has not been as strong a relationship as it needs to be. We are the two biggest democracies. India has a huge economic power. India now has the leadership of G-20,' Thanedar told PTI.
His first month of in the House has been quite historic as he voted 15 times to elect the Speaker. This week, he was made members of two influential House committees: Small Business and Homeland Security.
‘India has been recognized for its economic power. I think, the United States and India each will benefit by having strong mutual relationships: a relationship of trust, a mutual economic relationship, … more trade, mutual trade,' he said.
‘We have reached a high watermark now, with my election as the fifth Indian American …I want to use this opportunity to build strong India-United States relationships. I want to work very hard on that, and help commerce help the people of both countries be able to work together with a lot of trust, and a lot of cooperation,' Thanedar said.
Thanedar's is a rags-to-riches story. He arrived in the US when he was 24-year-old primarily to escape poverty and financial hardship he and his family were facing.
Noting that he grew up in poverty in India, he said his home had no running water, often no electricity and the entire family of six brothers and sisters and parents lived together in one house.