In an interview with PTI, US Congressman Ro Khanna supported India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and said that India’s G20 Presidency was very consequential.
The California lawmaker led a bipartisan congressional delegation with Congressman Michael Waltz on a four-day visit to India. The delegation participated in the Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi on 15 August.
Calling #MahatmaGandhi the person who has had the “most influence” in his life, U.S. Congressman #RoKhanna paid tributes at Rajghat on August 15 as part of a four-day visit by a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation to #India. https://t.co/i8dtvNmQ5c
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) August 15, 2023
On India’s G20 Presidency, Role in Ukraine War
Khanna said, “India should be in the UN Security Council. Let’s be very candid about it given the changes in the world’s power and economy.”
Calling India’s G20 presidency “very consequential,” the US lawmaker said, “the fact that India is leading the G20 is an appropriate recognition of its rise as a world power.”
Additionally, the Indian-American Democrat spoke on India’s role in the Ukraine War and said India could bring just peace to Ukraine, given its historical relationship with Russia.
India-US Ties Stronger Than Ever
Khanna asserted that China must respect its borders with India. He said Washington would strongly support New Delhi if it faces any security challenges.
DG @IDSAIndia & @T20org Chair @g20org @SujanChinoy received US Congressional delegation comprising @RoKhanna @RepDeborahRoss @RepKatCammack @RepShriThanedar & @RepJasmine for an exchange of views. #India #USrelations #trade #IndoPacific #technology #CyberSec #AI #China pic.twitter.com/PoKsZHh6a4
— Manohar Parrikar IDSA, New Delhi (@IDSAIndia) August 14, 2023
The lawmaker advocated closer ties between India and the US, saying that cooperation in defence and critical technologies would further cement the relationship.
“The India-US relationship has never been so strong. It is building on defence cooperation, economic cooperation, technology cooperation, cooperation on climate,” he remarked.
Khanna also discussed a plan to introduce legislation facilitating India’s treatment at par with the US’s close allies like Israel, Japan, and South Korea for expediting projects like the F-414 jet-engine co-production.
He noted that the US delegation’s visit is building on Indian PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, which he called a “success.”
Need to Respect Minorities
The Congressman also underlined the need to respect the rights of minorities and protect democratic values.
In response to a question on the recent report by the US State Department on religious freedom that criticised India for alleged attacks on minorities, Khanna said he stood by the report.
“We are both imperfect democracies. We have our challenges back at home. India has its challenges and the important thing is that we work towards minority rights, to have proper police capacity and police reforms so that everyone is treated equally, that we make sure that we celebrate all faiths and all people.”
Khanna stated he was working on the same in the US, and that Washington and New Delhi need to work as good friends and allies to ensure progress along these lines in both countries.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 12, 2023
Gandhi’s Influence, The Delegation
While paying tributes at the Rajghat on 15 August, Khanna said, “I believe Gandhi is one of the greatest ethical leaders that humanity has ever had, and the world must still look to him for inspiration.”
The US lawmaker also met Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan upon arriving in Mumbai on the first day of his visit and called him the “biggest brand ambassador for India.”
Khanna and Waltz, the two co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, were accompanied by Congressmen Deborah Ross, Kat Cammack, Shri Thanedar, Jasmine Crockett, Rich McCormick, and Ed Case on their visit.