US Congress members have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, to recognise 15 August, Indian Independence Day, as a National Day of Celebration of the two largest democracies in the world.
The resolution was introduced by Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar and co-sponsored by Congressman Buddy Carter and Brad Sharman.
The Resolution
According to the resolution, India is the world’s largest democracy, and it shares with the US a system where the people have supreme authority to govern. It also notes that India and the US are former British colonies.
It expresses the opinion that the US and India’s strong alliance, founded on shared democratic ideals, will continue to advance global democracy while ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity for all nations.
Americans of Indian heritage improve public life in the US as lawmakers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers who diligently adhere to the values of the US Constitution and contribute to the nation’s enriching diversity, as stated in the resolution.
Additionally, the resolution states that it is “proper and desirable” to celebrate with the Indian people and reiterate the democratic values on which the two nations were founded.
The resolution states that US President Joe Biden requested a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
In a statement, it was noted that Indian PM Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US on 22 June established a new level of trust and mutual understanding built on common goals and shared commitments to freedom, democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
PM Modi visited the US for three days in June, meeting President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and some of Silicon Valley’s top executives.
“The partnership between India and the United States will make the world better in the 21st century,” Modi said at the Ronald Reagan Centre in Washington. “You all play a crucial role in this partnership,” he remarked.
🇮🇳🇺🇸 US lawmakers seek to declare 15 August, India's Independence Day, as National Day of Celebration:
— Swarajya (@SwarajyaMag) August 8, 2023
- Reinforce democratic principles
- Promote global democracy
- Celebrate shared values & diversityhttps://t.co/kdvPGvFwTV
US Lawmakers to Attend Modi’s Red Fort Address
According to an official announcement, a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers is scheduled to visit India on 15 August to attend Modi’s Red Fort address, among other things.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Michael Waltz will head the bipartisan Congressional delegation. They are co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Members of Congress Deborah Ross, Kat Cammack, Shri Thanedar, Jasmine Crockett, Rich McCormick and Ed Case will join Khanna and Waltz.
Khanna stated, “It is an honour to lead a bipartisan delegation to India and be there to celebrate India’s Independence Day. [...] It is also a historic moment for the US-India relationship.”
He claimed the trip would strengthen coordination and cooperation between both countries, enabling them to engage on pressing issues like “decarbonisation, digitisation, economic partnership, defence ties, and pluralism and human rights.”
According to the statement, the delegation will meet with various business, government, tech, and Bollywood figures in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi, and visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s historic memorial, as well.
Khanna and Waltz launched the historic US-India Summit on Capitol Hill earlier this year, which featured panels and remarks from government officials, specialists, and Indian-American leaders from all over the country.