- Thursday, February 27, 2025
A bipartisan contingent of lawmakers will be led by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Michael Waltz who are the co-chairs for the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
By: Shubham Ghosh
A BIPARTISAN contingent of US legislators is scheduled to embark on a visit to India, participating in prime minister Narendra Modi’s address at the Red Fort on August 15, the nation’s Independence Day, as confirmed by an official statement.
The delegation is led by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Michael Waltz who are the co-chairs for the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
Khanna expressed his deep honour in spearheading this bipartisan delegation and commemorating India’s Independence Day, a personally significant endeavour due to his grandfather’s involvement in the struggle for India’s freedom.
The trip is anticipated to enhance collaboration between the US and India, encompassing significant dialogues on issues such as decarbonisation, digitalisation, economic partnership, defence cooperation, and the values of pluralism and human rights.
“It is an honour to lead a bipartisan delegation to India and be there to celebrate India’s Independence Day. My grandfather spent his life fighting for India’s independence. So, this is a deeply personal and meaningful trip for me. It is also a historic moment for the US-India relationship. I plan to meet with prime minister Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, cabinet ministers and a diverse range of MPs along with business, tech, cricket and Bollywood leaders,” Khanna told PTI on Monday (7).
The delegation’s itinerary entails a visit to the historic Red Fort where Modi will address the nation on the 76th anniversary of the country’s independence. It will be his 10th Independence Day speech since he took over as the prime minister in 2014.
Their engagement extends to meetings with prominent figures from various sectors including business, technology, government, and Bollywood, spanning Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi. Furthermore, they will pay respects at Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, an iconic leader of India’s freedom movement.
Congressman Khanna’s lineage holds historical resonance, as his grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar was a freedom fighter imprisoned alongside Gandhi and later became part of India’s inaugural parliament.
As co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Khanna and Waltz emphasised their pride in leading a bipartisan delegation, aiming to foster economic and defense alliances between the two oldest and largest democracies.
Both legislators assert their belief in the profound significance of the US-India relationship within the 21st century, portraying India as a pivotal ally in countering hegemonic ambitions and promoting multipolarity in Asia. Their shared convictions underscore the necessity of progressing based on shared democratic values, freedom of expression, and human rights. This delegation marks a historic juncture, fostering greater cooperation and the advancement of common objectives.
“We must continue to strive to make progress and build our partnership based on our shared founding values of democracy, freedom of the press and assembly, and human rights. This delegation is a historic opportunity to drive further collaboration and advance shared aims,” Khanna said.
Earlier this year, Khanna and Waltz orchestrated the groundbreaking US-India Summit on Capitol Hill, featuring insightful panels and discussions encompassing government officials, experts, and Indian-American leaders from across the US.
