WASHINGTON, DC – With the aim of raising policy issues that affect the community, and engaging in discussions with more than 75 Congressional representatives and their staff, Indian American delegates of the Foundation of India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on April 27, gathered here on Capitol Hill.
“On our advocacy day, we focused on three critical issues: immigration, US-India relations, and religious phobia,” said Khanderao Kand, Founding Director of FIIDS. He said the group “strongly advocated” for the abolition of country-wise limits on employment-based permanent residency; accelerating the Initiative of Critical and Emerging Technology, to counter China, and the expansion of QUAD to include regional countries, addressing security concerns about Taiwan, and the Indo-Pacific region. On “religious phobia faced by faiths of Indian origin,” he said measures had been proposed including a congressional resolution on the matter.
House representatives and their staff were actively engaged, asked questions, and shared comments, a press release said. It singled out Congressman Josh Harder for discussing the significance of an Indo-US alliance and delegates lauding Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, for his work on immigration matters.
The day concluded with a celebration reception, which brought together house members, their staff, diplomats, think tank experts, officials, and delegates. This event was supported by the American Jewish Community, Congressman Andy Barr, and Dr. Suvas Desai.
Among the speakers was Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs who emphasized the consequential nature of the US-India relationship, including QUAD and various projects, such as food security and climate change through green technology advancements.
Jason Isaacson, Chief Policy & Political Affairs Officer of AJC, India’s ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Nadav Zysblat, Minister-Counselor (Political) from the Embassy of Israel, Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the National Drug Control Policy, Mukesh Aghi, CEO and President of the US India Strategic Partnership Forum, were among those who spoke on various aspects of India-US relations Elected officials who spoke were Reps Raja Krishnamoorthi, Carolyn Maloney, Glenn Grothman, Dan Mauser, Mike Collins, Dr. Rich McCormick, David Schweikert, Shri Thanedar and Ro Khanna.
More information
https://indiawest.com/fiids-holds-advocacy-day-on-capitol-hill/