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Home > News

Rep. McDermott, India Caucus Co-Chair, Introduces U.S. – India Interparliamentary Legislation

May 19, 2009

Rep. Jim McDermott, one of the founders and current co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, today introduced the U.S.- India Interparliamentary Exchange Act of 2009, HR 2468.

Coming shortly after an historic election in India over the weekend, McDermott said his legislation is intended to further strengthen and unite the world’s oldest and the world’s largest Democracies. 

“India is one of our most important allies and creating an exchange program between Members of the U.S. Congress and Representatives of India’s Parliament will only deepen our ties and lead to greater understanding between our countries,” Rep. McDermott said.  “Understanding among nations is the path to stability, security and peace in the world.”

While the legislation was being prepared over the last two months, McDermott said he decided to introduce it now as a congratulatory note to India after its historic elections that concluded over the weekend.  “I’ve known Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for many years and consider him to be a close friend, and this legislation is meant to begin a new chapter in the relationship between our nations,” McDermott said.

The bill is modeled after the existing U.S. – Japan Legislative Exchange Program, which Rep. McDermott has chaired since its formation by then Speaker Thomas S. Foley in the early 1990s.  Rep. McDermott recently was reappointed co-chair by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.   

The U.S.- India Interparliamentary Exchange Act of 2009 calls for an annual meeting between political leaders from both countries, “…for discussion of common issues in the interest of relations between the United States and India.”

A copy of the legislation is attached in. PDF format.