Indian American lawmakers Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Ro Khanna (D-CA) extended Independence Day greetings to India and commended the tremendous progress the world’s largest democracy has achieved since its independence in 1947.
Co-Chair of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Rep. Khanna said, “India, a young country, has made remarkable economic progress and emerged as a world power and key US ally.”
Rep. Khanna’s grandfather, Amarnath Vidyalankar, took part in India’s Independence Movement and was in jail for many years alongside Mahatma Gandhi. According to Khanna, his grandfather is a source of inspiration for him to “stand up for democracy, pluralism, and a more just world.”
Rep. Jayapal, the only Indian American woman in US Congress and the second highest ranking elected official after Vice President Kamala Harris said, “On Indian Independence Day, I celebrate the growing contributions of Indian Americans and the necessary partnership with India and the Indian diaspora,” urging everyone to “commit to the shared values of democracy and freedom,” that bind both nations together.
As an Indian-born individual with deep familial and personal connections to India, this day is particularly meaningful to her, said Rep. Jayapal emphasizing that her pride stems from having lived and worked across various parts of India, from Chennai to Kerala and Karnataka. She lived and worked in Uttar Pradesh for two years during her early career, and these experiences have strengthened her bond to India.
“I am committed to a strong US India relationship. I came to America when I was 16 years old by myself. Despite no funds, my parents sent me across the oceans because they wanted me to have the most opportunity possible. And my journey to America mirrors the journeys of so many Indian Americans who have helped build America and make us stronger,” expressed Jayapal. “So many of us value our connection to our birth country of India, and I look forward to helping to build the connections between a strong Indian democracy and a strong American democracy.”
She went on to share that after founding the largest immigrant rights organization in Washington State, she made history a decade ago as the first South Asian American elected to the Washington State Legislature. Her efforts have helped pave the way for more South Asian Americans to be elected in Washington’s legislature.
Referring to eight years ago, she said “I had the incredible opportunity to become the first and still only Indian American woman elected to the House of Representatives.” As Ranking Member on the Immigration Subcommittee, she asserted, “I also look forward to making sure that we advance humane immigration policies that celebrate Indian workers who come to our country and their families.”
“I consider myself a proud daughter of both India and the United States,” she prided pointing out that both countries have so much in common.
Highlighting strengths of both countries, she continued, “One the world’s oldest democracy, the other the world’s largest democracy, we have forged a close relationship based on strategic interests and shared democratic values. We have so much opportunity to continue to build our relationship through trade, arts, culture, technology and strategic global partnerships.”
“India is a booming and powerful country on the international stage,” underscored Jayapal noting, “I look forward to continuing the work to lift up our shared commitments to democratic values and to ensure that my hometown of Seattle continues to play a major part in our partnership.”
Welcoming the opening of a new Indian Consulate in Seattle recently, she conveyed, “I am proud to have worked hard to advocate for a new Indian Consulate here in Seattle to help promote our interactions.” She also said that she is happy to welcome the new Consul General of India in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, and his family to her district.
