Extraordinary contributions of 'desi's to the United States'of America

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Power partnership

IANS [ MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004 01:42:12 AM ]

A resolution recognizing the `extraordinary contributions' of people

of Indian origin to the US and the benefits of working together with

India as a `strategic partner' has been introduced in Congress.

Strongly advocating that India be recognized as a " strategic partner

to the US " , the resolution says American global efforts could become

more effective and successful " in combating global HIV/AIDS, pursuing

nuclear non-proliferation, promoting democracy, enhancing stability

of the world economy, eliminating poverty, fighting terrorism, and

expanding and strengthening global trade " .

Complimenting the people of Indian origin on their " extraordinary

contributions " to the United States, Concurrent Resolution 352 before

the House of Representatives notes that Indian Americans have helped

to make the United States a more efficient and prosperous country.

" These contributions have spanned disciplines ranging from science,

technology, business development, and public service, to social

justice, philanthropy, literature, and the arts. "

It says that generations of doctors and nurses of Indian origin have

attended to the sick in large cities as well as in rural regions of

the US that are otherwise underserved.

Indian Americans have designed defence systems that protect US naval

ships while at sea and have contributed to engineering, designing and

participating in the US space shuttle programme at great personal

sacrifice.

It notes how Indian Americans have invented many of the technologies

that power the computer and the Internet, have created and directed

laboratories that produced significant breakthroughs in modern

medicine and have taught at, and are leaders of, many US institutions

of higher learning.

The resolution makes special mention of the Indian

Americans' " invaluable contributions to the vitality and viability of

the United States economy through creative entrepreneurship and

leadership in both large and small businesses " and of how they have

shared and integrated their rich culture into the fabric of American

daily life.

The resolution, sponsored by Congresswoman ita Mellinder-

Mc, says that the common values and common interests that are

shared between India, the world's largest democracy, and the United

States, the oldest democracy, could be utilised to the benefits of

the two countries working together in promoting peace, prosperity and

freedom among all countries of the world.

On India-US trade, the resolution says India with its more than one

billion people offers the US a large and rapidly growing market and

unlocking vast reservoirs of talent.

Being the US's largest trading partner, India is a major source of

foreign direct investment and foreign institutional investment in

India; and US exports to India are growing at 25 per cent, making

India one of the fastest growing foreign markets for US goods and

services.

It says India's industrial tariffs have fallen from 150 per cent in

1988 to a peak rate of 20 per cent today and US exports to India will

accelerate as India continues reducing tariffs and instituting

liberalization measures in its trade and investment regime, thereby

expanding the trade relationship of the two countries and bringing

mutual benefits.

Acknowledging that India has been a key partner in the war against

terrorism, the resolution notes how India and the US have agreed to

increase cooperation in the areas of nuclear activities, civilian

space programmes, high-technology trade, and missile defence.

While suche multi-faceted cooperation between India and the United

States will strengthen bonds of friendship and commerce it would also

pave the way for peaceful use of space technology, and increase

global stability and security, the resolution says.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/679497.cms