President-elect Donald Trump has selected Congressman Mike Waltz (R-Florida), the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, as his National Security Advisor for his second term. Waltz is set to succeed Jake Sullivan in the role on January 20, 2025.
Waltz, alongside Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna (D-California), played a pivotal role in inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on June 22, 2023. Following the announcement of Waltz’s selection, Khanna expressed confidence in the choice, stating that Waltz “would be good,” for U.S.-India relations.
At a White House Press briefing recently, Sullivan said, “Congressman Waltz – who’s been named to be my replacement – he’s somebody that I have engaged with in the past. I respect his service to this country in uniform. He’s put his life on the line. I respect his service in Congress.”
The outgoing National Security Advisor acknowledged policy differences with Waltz but emphasized his commitment to ensuring a seamless transition. “I obviously don’t see eye to eye on every issue, but I am very much looking forward to engaging him over these next 60 days, as I said, so that we can have this smooth handoff,” Sullivan remarked.
On May 24, 2023, both Khanna and Waltz, as co-Chairs of the India Caucus, jointly urged then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy to extend the formal invitation to Prime Minister Modi, underscoring bipartisan efforts to strengthen U.S.-India ties.
“As State Dinners have come to signify the President’s utmost respect for visiting heads of state, granting a joint address to Congress is a commensurate honor for the leader of the world’s largest democracy and perhaps the most critical partner to countering China in the 21st century,” the letter by Waltz and Khanna noted making a case for the Speaker to invite PM Modi.
The joint letter emphasized the United States’ recognition and support of India’s emergence as a leading global power and its role as a vital partner in ensuring the Indo-Pacific region remains a hub of peace, stability, and prosperity.
As such, on June 1, 2023, an invitation letter jointly signed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on June 22.
“Your historic address to a Joint Meeting of Congress seven years ago left a lasting impact and greatly deepened the friendship between the United States and India… Once again, we would be honored to have you join us for a Joint Meeting of Congress to celebrate the enduring friendship between the United States and India,” the letter noted.
Expressing his deep gratitude, PM Modi described it as a “great honor,” to address the U.S. Congress for the second time, dedicating the moment to the 1.4 billion people of India.
“When I speak about India’s approach to the world, the United States occupies a special place. I know our relations are of great importance to all of you. Every Member of this Congress has a deep interest in it,” he noted. “When defense and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania thrive. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircrafts creates more than a million jobs in forty-four states in America.”
Around the same time Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed U.S. Congress, Representatives Waltz, Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8), Andy Barr (R-KY-6), and Marc Veasey (D-TX-33) introduced bipartisan legislation to expedite U.S. weapons sales to India.
A corresponding bill was also introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
“The United States and India are bonded by our shared national security interests and democratic values which is why it’s so important we continue strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today,” said Waltz in a joint statement released on June 22nd. “As our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The statement highlighted that the proposed legislation aims to place India on par with other key U.S. partners and allies by streamlining and accelerating the review and approval process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and exports under the Arms Export Control Act.
“It subjects Indian FMS to the same threshold for oversight and accountability as other key U.S. partners and allies, ensuring that India has streamlined access to the high-end capabilities necessary to defend itself. By deepening the U.S.-India defense partnership, this legislation will buttress India’s role as a key provider of security in Asia,” added the statement.
Waltz along with former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikky Haley, in a Foreign Policy article titled, “It’s Time to Formalize an Alliance with India,” on October 25, 2021, underscored “A U.S.-India alliance would also give us an edge over China. Like the United States, India recognizes that China is a rapidly growing threat. Not only is it attempting to capitalize on our withdrawal from Afghanistan, which goes against both the United States and India’s interests, China is also pressuring India on its own borders.”
