Holt Welcomes Indian Prime Minister to Washington

HOLT WELCOMES INDIAN PRIME MINISTER TO WASHINGTON
July 19, 2005

Lauds India's Growing Commercial, Political Ties to United States

(Washington, DC.) - Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) today welcomed Indian prime minister Dr . Manmohan Singh to Washington for his address to a joint session of the Congress.

"On one of my visits to India a few years ago I was able to meet with government officials, including Prime Minister Singh, then a member of the Rajya Sabha, India's Upper House of Parliament," said Holt, a member of the Congressional India Caucus since coming to Congress in January 1999. "I was deeply impressed by his intellect, thoughtfulness, and the success of his economic program, and I am proud to welcome him as he addresses a Joint Session of Congress this week. It is my hope that all Americans will listen to his words. We have much to learn from him regarding tolerance and acceptance of people of other cultures."

Holt was one of 70 House members to write Speaker Hastert earlier this year urging that the Speaker invite Prime Minister Singh to address the Congress.

Prime Minister Singh began a three-day state visit on Monday and his discussions with President Bush and Congressional leaders have focused on working towards implementation of some 16 cooperative agreements dealing with energy, the environment, space, technology and other issues.

"India is an emerging political and economic power, and the world's largest democracy," said Holt. "The global issues that unite us are many, and I am hopeful that as a result of Prime Minister Singh's visit the relationship between our two nations will continue to grow, particularly in the areas of trade and counterterrorism cooperation."

http://www.holt.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=10876