RELEASE: REPS. RO KHANNA AND MIKE WALTZ WILL LEAD CONGRESSIONAL INDIA CAUCUS AS CO-CHAIRS IN THE 118TH CONGRESS
Washington, DC – Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) announced today that he will serve alongside Representative Mike Waltz (FL-06) as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the 118th Congress. Representatives Andy Barr (KY-06) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) will serve as vice co-chairs. Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32), who formerly served as chair, will serve as chair emeritus.
The caucus is a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers committed to strengthening the relationship between the United States and India. In the new Congress, the members will continue working to strengthen partnerships between policy makers and the Indian American diaspora communities and reduce India's reliance on Russian defense systems.
"A strong relationship with India is critical for our economy and national security. It is an honor to serve alongside my colleague Rep. Waltz as co-chair of the India Caucus. Serving in this role is especially meaningful to me as one of the first Indian Americans to lead the caucus as well as the only representative of an Asian American majority district in the continental United States," said Rep. Khanna. "Reps. Sherman and Chabot have done a remarkable job of leading our caucus –– particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic and pushing for more support for India's pandemic response. I look forward to continuing working with Reps. Veasey and Barr as they take on the role of vice co-chairs to further strengthen our partnership with India."
"India is the world's largest democracy and an important strategic partner for the United States," said Rep. Waltz. "That's why I'm honored to serve as the Co-Chair of the House India Caucus this Congress to ensure we continue this partnership, strengthen political, economic, and security ties between our two countries, and protect democracies in Asia and worldwide."
"As a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee I am proud to co-chair this bipartisan caucus, bringing together the world's two largest democracies—the United States and India." said Rep. Barr. "Strengthening bilateral relations via trade and security as well as cooperation through the Quad, presents many opportunities to advance our countries' common interests."
"As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for over 26 years, Chair Emeritus of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific as well as the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, I have long advocated for a strong U.S.-India relationship and have worked to highlight the enormous contributions Indian Americans have made on this country," said Rep. Sherman. "There is no one more fitting that I could pass the torch of chairing this important Caucus to than Congressman Ro Khanna, along with Congressman Mike Waltz as Co-Chair - both stalwart advocates for the U.S.-India relationship. Moreover, I'm encouraged by our Vice Co-Chairs, Congressmen Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, who will bring to the Caucus a stellar record of impassioned advocacy for the U.S.-India partnership. I will continue on as Chair Emeritus and look forward to the work ahead of building upon this vital partnership and securing future prosperity between the United States, the world's oldest continuous democracy, and India, the world's largest democracy."