US Rep. Ro Khanna is in India leading a high-powered delegation of US members of Congress…reports Asian Lite News
India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and its hosting of the G20 presidency adequately acknowledge its emergence as a global powerhouse, according to prominent American legislator Ro Khanna.
During a conversation with PTI, Khanna emphasised that given India’s substantial international influence, it possesses the potential to contribute positively in achieving a “just peace” in Ukraine, owing to its longstanding ties with Russia.
Ro Khanna and Deborah Ross representing US Congressional delegation visited the Mumbai headquarters of Western Naval Command, the sword arm of the Indian Navy said on Monday.
The delegation was accompanied by Vikram Krishnamoorthy, Under Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
During their visit, the delegation was given a presentation on the roles, responsibilities and activities of WNC and a tour of the indigenous destroyer INS Kochi. The delegation also visited Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., where they were apprised of the indigenous ship-building capabilities of MDL.
Khanna has said that China needs to respect India’s borders and that he will work towards New Delhi getting critical US technologies like some other key allies including Israel, Japan and South Korea.
Ro Khanna, co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus who is leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation here, hoped that India can play a role in effecting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
“It’s very important that we keep India’s sovereignty.…They (China) need to respect India’s border and this is why I went to the Western Naval Command. We are working very closely with the American Navy to make sure the Arabian Sea remains free for navigation and that the Indian Ocean remains free, and we will continue to strengthen that relationship,” Khanna told in an interview.
Strongly condemning the attack on the India consulate in San Francisco by Khalistani separatists, Khanna said that there can be no violence against an embassy.
“There was no place for that and I condemned it very strongly. There can be no violence against an embassy, against a consulate in America and there is no space for a separatist movement,” he said.
“Punjab is a part of India, that is a settled question. We need to make sure everyone is treated equally, whether Hindu, Christian, Sikh or Muslim. Punjab is a part of India,” he added.
Earlier, in July, a group of pro-Khalistan supporters allegedly attempted to set fire to the Indian consulate in San Francisco. There was no major damage nor any injuries and police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Earlier in March this year, Khalistani supporters vandalized the consulate.
Asked about India’s G20 Presidency and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ro Khanna said that India has a great opportunity for leadership and can play a role in establishing peace.
He said there needs to be a ceasefire as it is affecting commodity prices globally.
“We need to have Ukraine’s sovereignty restored, but there also needs to be peace. There needs to be a ceasefire, otherwise, this is affecting wheat prices. It’s affecting oil prices, not to mention the loss of human life…so hopefully India can play a role in getting peace,” the Congressman said.
Khanna hailed the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US and termed it a “big success”.
He said bilateral ties have never been stronger.
“The PM’s visit was a big success. The announcement of the jet engine deal with GE, Air India buying almost 200 aircraft from Boeing is very important for the American economy and as the chair of the India-US Caucus, I am going to make sure that India has access to the critical technology like Israel, Japan, South Korea, like our key allies,” he said.
Meanwhile, during his India visit, US Congressman Khanna met with actor Amitabh Bachchan in Mumbai.
“First of all, the meeting with Amitabh Bhachchan was such an extraordinary moment. He spent almost an hour. My phone was buzzing with texts from around the world. I mean, he’s a national icon. And that was a great honour,” Khanna said after his meeting with the superstar on Saturday.
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