Given regional instability in Central Asia, a stronger alliance with India would strengthen the U.S., a group of experts said today.
Panelists told lawmakers on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific that the U.S. can help itself by helping to strengthen India as the two countries face common challenges. Strengthening India’s economy, they said, could improve the U.S. economy as it looks to open up new trade markets.
They also endorsed an exchange program, similar to student exchange programs but for teachers and farmers. These programs, the panelists said, would help foster education and new partnerships between the two nations.
“I believe our mutual interests and shared values can get us where we need to be if the U.S. is committed to deepening the U.S.-India partnership which is one of the most defining of the 21st century,” said Alliance for U.S.-India Business Founder Sanjay Puri.
Puri pointed out that Indian students are the second largest group coming for higher education to the U.S. and many bring back American-acquired skills in education, business, agriculture, etc. back to India. A long term solution to continue strengthening U.S.-India relations would be growing this partnership in education, Puri said.
“It matters because of India’s long term potential,” added Heritage Foundation Asian Studies Center Director Walter Lohman.
Source: Talk Radio News
