Recognizing the importance of United States-India relations.

Recognizing the importance of United States-India relations. Whereas the Republic of India achieved its independence on August 15, 1947, and is celebrating 75 years of its independence; Whereas the United States-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is critical for regional and global prosperity; Whereas, according to United Nations population estimates, India will become the most populous country in the world in 2023, with an estimated population of more than 1,425,000,000 people; Whereas strong people-to-people and educational exchanges between the United States and the Republic of India cement our nations ties and serve as the foundation for deeper cooperation; Whereas students from the Republic of India comprise nearly 20 percent of all international students studying in the United States, that this community is expected to soon become the largest foreign student community in the United States, and in 2022, the United States Mission in India issued more than 82,000 Indian student visas, a record-breaking amount; Whereas, according to International Monetary Fund data, India is the fifth largest economy in the world; Whereas the furthering of trade and investment between the United States and the Republic of India, two of the worlds largest economies, is in the interest of both countries as well as the broader global economy; Whereas the United States became Indias largest trading partner in 2022, with bilateral goods and services trade almost doubling since 2014, and exceeding $191,000,000,000 in 2022; Whereas the Republic of India hosted the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) negotiating round in February 2023; Whereas the United States designated India as a Major Defense Partner in 2016, and a strong United States-India defense partnership is critical for United States and Indian interests in the Indo-Pacific region; Whereas military-to-military ties between our two countries have deepened, with both countries undertaking bilateral and multilateral military exercises across air, land, and maritime domains, and are taking steps to strengthen defense industrial base collaboration; Whereas the Republic of Indias G20 presidency reflects its economic rise and demonstrates its commitment to furthering multilateral coordination and progress in the areas of inclusive growth, environmental protection, technology and knowledge-sharing, women-led development, and more; Whereas the United States and India have coordinated closely in numerous multilateral forums such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue ( the Quad Whereas the United States and India have been partners in advancing global health security, especially during the COVID19 pandemic, during which India assisted other countries, including in the developing world through the deployment of vaccines and medicines; Whereas there are significant opportunities to work together to develop emerging technologies through private sector and academic and research partnerships to achieve shared energy goals; Whereas the United States and India announced the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022, as a significant line of partnership to expand defense industrial and technological cooperation, including in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum and high-performance computing, space, next generation telecommunications, and semiconductor supply chains; and Whereas the diverse Indian American community, which numbers over 4,000,000 individuals, is critical to the strong people-to-people ties between India and the United States and has made critical contributions to the culture and economy of the United States, and forms one of the strongest bonds linking our two countries together: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) reaffirms the strong and long-standing partnership between the Governments of the United States and the Republic of India, rooted in people to people ties, strategic interests, including upholding peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region; (2) encourages the United States and India to continue and expand cooperation for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific, including through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue; (3) welcomes the Republic of Indias participation in economic initiatives, including through bilateral and multilateral forums, its participation in the Quad, and other venues of cooperation; (4) supports the United States and the Republic of India identifying further opportunities to deepen engagement and further defense, commercial, and investment ties; (5) affirms the importance of technology cooperation between the United States and India, including through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology; (6) recognizes the importance of expanding people-to-people programs between the United States and India, particularly between educational institutions; (7) appreciates the contributions of Americans of Indian origin, and desires closer relations between the people of the United States and the people of India; and (8) views the bilateral relationship as holding the potential to bring significant benefit to the citizens of both nations, and to make considerable contributions to addressing the global challenges of the 21st century.

Summary: This resolution reaffirms the strong and long-standing partnership between the governments of the United States and India. The resolution also encourages further defense, commercial, and investment ties between the countries, as well as continued cooperation for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific.