CONGRESSIONAL
INDIA CAUCUS
Republican
co-chair Joe Wilson says:
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President Bush added momentum
to Indo-US relationship |
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Tariff disputes main obstacles |
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India-bashing on outsourcing
unfortunate
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THE
Indo-US relationship under President George Bush who is seeking
second term, has strengthened further and this is strongly reflected
in historic joint military exercises, increase in bilateral trade,
and in better understanding and appreciation of India’s security
concerns, so feels Mr. Joe Wilson, Republican co-chair of the
US Congressional India Caucus. In an wide-ranging interview
with Amitabha Sen, Mr. Joe spoke out his mind on major issues
like bilateral trade, outsourcing, Kashmir and India’s demand Security
Council membership.
“On
trade issues, I believe both nations must find a way to resolve
tariff disputes, as this is the main obstacle blocking advancements
in increased trade. In 2003, U.S. exports to India increased by
23%, and this is a very positive sign. I want to see bilateral trade
increase as fast as possible. This is a crucial element to India’s
rise as a respected, global leader”, he said.
On
the issue of outsourcing that has raised so much political dust
on the eve of the President’s election in the US, the Republican
co-chair was quite candid when he said: “it is unfortunate to see
the India-bashing that is going on during this campaign over outsourcing.
I feel India has become a scapegoat over this issue… We only discuss
outsourcing, but do not mention all the jobs insourced, that is
jobs created by overseas companies in the U.S. This constitutes
nearly 6.5 million jobs, including 60,000 American jobs created
by 170 Indian IT companies.”
About
Indian Americans he maintains they are “helpful in educating lawmakers
about India, Kashmir and bilateral trade issues. I am very optimistic
about the work of Indian American staffers in Congress, they are
making a difference. I
believe the election of Bobby Jindal from Louisiana to Congress
this November is a major step in the right direction in raising
the profile of Indian Americans in this country.”
AS:
How would you
like to assess Indo-US relations during the Bush Administration?
JW:
I believe U.S.-India relations under President
Bush can be summed up best by restating the sentence in the Joint
Statement issued by the President and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
on September 21, 2004, where the two leaders noted “bilateral
relations had never been as close as they were at present.” India
has gotten stronger through its relationship with the U.S. under
President Bush. We have seen historic joint military exercises,
an increase in bilateral trade, and a better understanding and appreciation
of India’s security concerns. President Clinton applied
a double standard to India’s defense needs, dismissing India’s legitimate
national security concerns as unnecessary. He also sanctioned the
world’s largest democracy. Under Clinton’s watch, Pakistan went
from a democracy to military theocracy, the Taliban was created
and sponsored by Pakistan’s ISI in 1994, Pakistan detonated a nuclear
device, both North Korea and China illegally transferred weapons
systems to Pakistan but Clinton waived sanctions on them, and A.Q.
Khan’s illicit nuclear trading ring flourished.
Under
President Bush’s leadership, India and the U.S. initiated the historic
Next
Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) and successfully completed
Phase I, we have
dismantled A.Q. Khan’s illegal trading program, the Taliban have
been defeated, Afghanistan is turning from a terrorist haven to
a free democracy, and al Qaeda is being decimated by joint U.S.-Pakistan
military actions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. All of these
actions will make South Asia safer and India will benefit from the
closer relationship that it is developing with the U.S.
AS:
Could you identify areas and suggest political steps that
may in effect strengthen further the Indo-US understanding wiping
out whatever hesitancy or misgivings still might be affecting the
bilateral relationship of these two Democracies?
JW:
I am focused on improving bilateral trade
and military ties. I think it is unfortunate to see the India-bashing
that is going on during this campaign over outsourcing. I feel India
has become a scapegoat over this issue.
On
trade issues, I believe both nations must find a way to resolve
tariff disputes, as this is the main obstacle blocking advancements
in increased trade. In 2003, U.S. exports to India increased by
23%, and this is a very positive sign. I want to see bilateral trade
increase as fast as possible. This is a crucial element to India’s
rise as a respected, global leader.
AS:
One important decision that both the countries took is to
re-energize the bilateral Economic Dialogue agreed upon by President
Bush and Prime Minister Vajpayee in 2001. The Indo-US bilateral
trade has increased substantially with the balance in favour of
India. Could you suggest steps that both the countries should take
to raise it to a greater level?
JW:
The main item to focus on are tariffs. India
maintains very high tariffs on a number of products, mainly to protect
domestic industries. However, India maintains these tariffs on some
products that are not made in India at all. Also, the same arguments
on protectionism are taking place here. The more open India’s economy
becomes, the more prosperity will reach its people.
AS:
Could you tell
us the areas where Indian Americans can help effectively and meaningfully
towards building up a stronger India, particularly in the fields
trade and economy and eradication of poverty?
JW:
Indian Americans are helpful in educating
lawmakers about India, Kashmir and bilateral trade issues. I am
very optimistic about the work of Indian American staffers in Congress,
they are making a difference. I have been fortunate that one of
my staff members, Dino Teppara, is Indian American and has been
with me for three years, advising me on various issues. The influence
of Indian Americans will continue to grow as more people enter the
legislative and political fields. I believe the election of Bobby
Jindal from Louisiana to Congress this November is a major step
in the right direction in raising the profile of Indian Americans
in this country.
AS:
The recent controversy over ‘outsourcing’
to India is seen by many as a temporary political hue and cry as
most of the US corporations are to substantially cut costs in order
to survive, grow and expand in coming years and outsourcing can
be one such effective cost-cutting measures. What do you feel about the prospect of BPO so
far as India is concerned?
Is it a real threat to Indian IT industry or it’s the other
way round?
JW: I believe
the U.S. can be competitive in any industry in the world, we just
need to be on a level playing field. I feel the outsourcing issue
has been politicized by Democrats in conjunction with labor unions.
We only discuss outsourcing, but do not mention all the jobs insourced,
that is jobs created by overseas companies in the U.S. This constitutes
nearly 6.5 million jobs, including 60,000
American jobs created by 170 Indian IT companies. So we need to
have an intelligent debate on the issue before we make decisions
that affect international trade.
AS:
Post 9/11 India’s immediate response to the US call to join
the war against terrorism had brought significant transformation
in the relationship between these two countries. What spin-off effects
of such decision of the Indian government you had expected of the
US Administration and where they are today?
JW:
I believe both our countries are sharing
vital intelligence on the al Qaeda network and we are shutting down
the hawala money transfer system. We are continuing to work together
on various fronts on the Global War on Terrorism, and we are making
significant progress.
AS:
What is your view on the Kashmir issue?
JW:
I have stated on the House Floor that Pakistan
must stop the infiltration of militants into India’s portion of
Kashmir. Until the attacks on civilians and soldiers stop, very
little progress can be made. Funding for madrassas must also be
curtailed. I believe we are on the right track. Both India and Pakistan
have opened historic rail, land and air ties between themselves
and have begun opening the separate portions of Kashmir to one another.
My own proposal is to make the Line of Control (LOC) the permanent
border between the two countries, with the people of Kashmir having
the freedom to visit each side freely. I believe this is the best
solution because neither portion of Kashmir has the ability to exist
in an independent state, due to its small size and population. I
feel this is the best solution because both Pakistan and India should
have responsibilities toward the people of Kashmir, to integrate
them into the national economy and be responsible for their education
and healthcare needs. At the same time, the people of Kashmir should
not be denied family reunification. Resolving this dispute will
be of great advantage to India, as more tourist dollars will flow
into the area and India can decrease military expenditures once
democracy and freedom flows into Kashmir, the way it successfully
exists in India.
AS:
The US government is yet to take a
clear stand on India’s demand for Security Council membership. On
the other hand India is asked to sign NNPT without officially recognizing
the country as a nuclear power. Your views please.
JW:
I am not holding India to a different standard
from the U.S., as I believe this would be hypocritical. I understand
that India is the world’s largest democracy in a sea of undemocratic
regimes throughout Asia. Accordingly, India has legitimate security
concerns dealing with proliferation and terrorism.
As
for membership on the U.N. Security Council, India is the world’s
largest democracy and the second most populous nation. We have seen
an orderly transition of power from one political party to another,
when nearly 400 million people voted earlier this year in India.
India’s economy in the 4th quarter of 2003 was the fastest
growing in the world. We cannot ignore this. Yet, on the other hand,
India does not have the economic clout yet that would make admission
to the Council readily apparent. I feel strongly that if India can
build its infrastructure in the power sector, develop a national
road and highway system, and ensure a consistent supply of water,
a strong case can be made to the global community. India’s economy
is taking off, and every effort should made to ensure this momentum
continues into the future.
AS:
Assuming President Bush is voted back to power again, what
strategy you would be expecting from his government in terms of
strengthening both political and economic relations with India further?
JW:
I believe President Bush will continue to
implement the goals of the strategic partnership, and I think he
will make stronger India-U.S. ties a priority in his Administration,
I have no doubt about that.
AS:
In case the Democrat candidate wins
over, would you be expecting any dramatic change in Indo-US relationship?
JW:
I am confident that
President Bush will be reelected, and I am working hard to ensure
that happens. I believe U.S.-India relations will be best under
President Bush, so I think Indian Americans should support him.
October 13, 2004
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