United States Congressman Joe Crowley, who is the co-chair of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, has launched a major effort among lawmakers asking the department of justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to track the hate crimes committed against Sikhs, Hindus and Arab Americans.
They also asked Pak to take 'demonstrable action' against terrorist groups within its territory.
'As Prime Minister Modi said, our ties are no longer just another partnership. It is a far greater and closer relationship'
'I strongly urge China to respect norms and use diplomacy and existing mechanisms to resolve its border questions with India'
'I owe India an apology, as when she suffered the Mumbai Terror attack on November 26, 2008, when Jews and Americans were singled out for death by Pakistan based Terrorists, I joined in arguing for restraint. I was wrong'
There has been no official announcement from either the White House or the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi.
Senior United States lawmakers told a Capitol Hill conference that India was crucial for stability in Afghanistan and the region as US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces prepare to withdraw from that war ravaged country.
Over the last few weeks, bipartisan support for India against China has been increasing.
Crimes committed against Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Arabs and three other minority religions would now be tracked as hate crime by law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorney General Eric Holder said.
Obviously having gotten the green light from the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi that if they lobby the Speaker to address a joint session of Congress, which he has not been able to do despite his three visits to the US, the Congressmen informed Paul Ryan that 'It is our understanding that if invited, the prime minister would accept.'
Two top United States lawmakers have introduced a legislation in the House of Representatives to designate India as a special global partner of America
In April, the US stopped funding to WHO as the Trump administration reviewed the ties.
A host of United States lawmakers attended an event on Capitol Hill on Friday to hail India's election and the Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory, and to also invite Narendra Modi to Washington to discuss issues ranging from counter-terrorism to bilateral economic cooperation and investment.
'What has cemented the renewed bilateral commitment is the maturity of the relationship. This has been reflected at the highest levels, with you and President Obama driving the relationship, and at the citizen-to-citizen level.'
This is for the first time in recent history that the leaders of the two largest democracies would be addressing a joint rally anywhere in the world.
The spell that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast over US lawmakers nearly two months during his visit to the United States has still not worn off, as was manifest by the gushing nostalgia of the Modi magic by both Democratic and Republican party representatives at the Congressional Diwali celebration on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan said the terrorist attack in Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.
'The attack killed 166 innocents, including six Americans. We will never let terrorists win, or even come close to winning!' he said.
'The clique that runs that country is treating us like suckers. We are very foolish, giving people money who involve themselves in activity that's harmful to America.' 'When you look at the cold hard facts, Pakistan is not an ally to the United States. They have facilitated, they have encouraged, they have been a protector of enemies.'
The US president's tweet provoked sharp criticism from commentators who saw it as a piece of opportunism at London's expense.
'The Senators were playing safe, not angering either the pro-India lobby or the pro-Pakistan lobby, but perhaps more importantly, the military-industrial complex -- the most powerful lobby of all -- which the majority of Senators are beholden to in terms of largesse to their campaign coffers.'
Jaishankar said that the resolution on Kashmir introduced by Jayapal in the House is not a fair characterisation of the situation in J-K. And also said that he has no interest in meeting the Congresswoman.
