Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera spoke at a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Wednesday about the need to continue to develop the U.S.-India relationship. Officials from the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) testified at the hearing.

"Our policy in Asia is at a critical juncture, and we must reassure our allies and partners that we are committed in the region, particularly India," said Bera. "I firmly believe there is potential to quintuple the amount of trade we do, which will ultimately lead to more jobs both here at home and in India."

Congressman Bera also described India's importance in the South Asia region, saying India can, "provide geopolitical stability by promoting trade, building infrastructure, and doing business with its partners."

Watch Bera's full opening statement.

Following his remarks, Congressman Bera posed questions on changes in U.S.-India relations to Assistant Secretary Nisha Biswal of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Acting Assistant Secretary Denise Rollins of the Bureau for Asia, USAID. Ms. Rollins described the transformation of USAID's relationship with India in the last two years, from a donor-recipient relationship, to a partner in development projects throughout the world.

Watch Bera question the witnesses.