The BRICS TimesShashi Tharoor emphasized that the Indian-American community must raise its voice, fight for their homeland, and press political representatives to stand with India.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs held a meeting on Tuesday, where later a delegation of US lawmakers visiting India also joined. During the discussion, the panel raised issues related to recent US decisions against India, including tariffs and H-1B visa restrictions. The silence of the Indian-American diaspora over such decisions taken by the Trump administration also became a point of concern.
A group of five US Congress members from the opposition Democratic Party is currently visiting India. In the meeting, American lawmakers acknowledged the strength and resilience of India’s economy but at the same time expressed concern over the US government’s decision to hike H-1B visa fees.
The matter of imposing a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods and the development of Iran’s Chabahar port was also brought up. Several US lawmakers openly criticized President Donald Trump for these decisions. After the meeting, Committee Chairman Shashi Tharoor stated that members discussed why the Indian-American diaspora has remained quiet over such anti-India policies by the US government.
The delegation of five lawmakers was led by Indian-origin US Congressman Ami Bera. Tharoor underlined that the most crucial takeaway from the discussions was the deep commitment of the United States, particularly the US Congress, towards building and strengthening its strategic partnership with India.
Tharoor further stressed, “We must tell the Indian-American community that if you truly care about your bond with your homeland, then you must raise your voice, fight for it, and pressure your political representatives to stand in support of India.”
Committee member and Congress MP Rajeev Shukla strongly criticized US President Donald Trump during the meeting. He told the American delegation, “It is shameful that Trump invites Pakistan Army Chief Munir but not the Prime Minister. It is absolute shamelessness that Trump does not respect protocol. A person of his stature must follow protocol while extending invitations.”
