Bera Returns from Afghanistan, Says India's Role Critical

Fresh from his maiden trip to Afghanistan, Democratic Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian American lawmaker in Congress, has said that India has a very critical role to play in peace and development in the war-torn country.

Bera said he is planning to visit India in August, during which besides his other engagements he would also visit his parental village in Gujarat.

In an interview with PTI, Bera came out in strong support of the India-U.S. relationship, noting that it is his desire to see the two countries walking as partners.

A 48-year-old Democratic party congressman from California, Bera recently made his maiden trip to Afghanistan, where he had firsthand experience of India's developmental activities.

"India has a critical role to play in the economic development of Afghanistan. I think India has a critical role in continuing the infrastructure development of Afghanistan," Bera said, adding that New Delhi has a role within the broader context of the international community.

Observing that nobody wants to see the re-emergence of the Taliban or terrorism, Bera said this is where India as part of the international community can be a key leader in partnership with the United States and Afghanistan.

The tri-lateral relationship between the United States, India and Afghanistan is important to help maintain stability, he noted.

Bera, who has been speaking about the India-U.S. relationship in Congress, hoped that it would be further strengthened after Secretary of State John Kerry visits India later this month.

Bera added that he hoped that the recently held elections in Pakistan and the formation of the new government would help in improving the relationship between India and Pakistan.

"It is India's interest. (Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz) Sharif has indicated he would like to see increased trade between the (two) countries, and I think this is something that the United State would foster," he said.

Uniquely placed on the issue of the India-U.S. relationship, given that he is an Indian American, Bera said members from both the parties have increasingly been coming to him to get his advice and counsel on this relationship.

His election to the House of Representatives has encouraged several Indian Americans across the country to run for elected offices, he said, hoping that in the next five to ten years there would be several Indian Americans in Congress.