Indo-US ties are not as strong as they should be, says Congress Thanedar

 

He became the fifth Indian-American to join the current Congress after Dr. Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamurthy, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal.

Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said that the relations between India and America have not been as strong as they should be. He said he would work to strengthen economic ties that would be beneficial to both countries and help enhance cooperation between their peoples.

Mr. Thanedar, 67, represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District, which primarily includes Detroit and its suburbs. He was sworn in as a member of the US House of Representatives earlier this month.

He became the fifth Indian-American to join the current Congress after Dr. Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamurthy, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal.

“I think historically, it (India-US relationship) has not been as strong a relationship as it should be. We are the two largest democracies. India has huge economic power. India now has the leadership of the G-20," Thanedar told PTI.

In his first month in the House, he voted 15 times to elect the Speaker. This week he was made a member of the Small Business and Homeland Security Council.

“India has been recognized for its economic power. America will benefit. I think, the United States and India would each benefit from a stronger mutual relationship: a relationship of trust, mutual economic ties, ... more trade, mutual business," he said.

“With my election as the fifth Indian American we have now reached a high watermark… I look forward to using this opportunity to build on the stronger India-United States relationship. I want to work very hard on that, and help commerce so that the people of the two countries can work together with great trust and great cooperation," Thanedar said.

The story of Thanedar is a story of rags to riches. He arrived in America at the age of 24, mainly to escape the poverty and financial hardships that he and his family were facing.

Noting that he grew up in poverty in India, he said that his home had no running water, often no electricity and the entire family of six siblings and parents lived together in one house.

"There were times when we didn't know where our next meal was going to come from. So, having grown up in poverty, I understand the struggles that working-class families face, I understand the tough choices that have to be made." Is required."

He said that Indian-Americans have contributed tremendously to the growth and success of America and this is a very good thing.

“We have some of the best doctors. We have some of the best businessmen, academics… But we have beyond economic success, beyond achieving our American dream, as an immigrant, as a citizen of the United States of America. We also have a responsibility to give back," he said.

The businessman-turned-politician said he wanted to spend the rest of his life serving the people of the country.

As a legislator, he has stated that his priority areas are education, poverty alleviation and health care. The constituency he comes from has a large number of people living in poverty.

After all, it is improving the quality of life. He said that COVID-19 has hit the city of Detroit, especially black and brown communities, hard.