US lawmakers, business body hail Indian polls

Washington, May (IANS) Congratulating India on "successfully completing the largest exercise of democracy in the world: several US lawmakers as also a US-India trade body have called for continued US-India partnership with new Indian government

"It has truly been inspiring to see," said the only Indian-American House member Ami Bera in a comment on Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party sweeping "to a landmark victory in India's recent elections".

"As the Indian government transitions, we must remember how vital the US-India partnership is to increased stability and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and continue to grow our unique relationship as the world's oldest and largest democracies.

"As a proud Gujarati American, I'd like to welcome India's new government," he said.

Joe Crowley, vice chair of the Democratic Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, also congratulated "the Indian people for their participation in these historic elections".

"From Kerala to Jaipur, from Mumbai to Kolkata, the power of democracy was on display throughout the country. I applaud India's commitment to the democratic process and wish the Indian people and government the very best," he stated.

Saying that the US had made a mistake in shunning Modi for over a decade, Eni Faleomavaega, top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, said: "Today is a victory for India."

"History will remember India's 2014 elections as unprecedented," he stated.

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) said the industry body comprised of 300 of the top-tier US and Indian companies "looks forward to partnering with the NDA Government to usher in an energetic era of development".

Congratulating the Indian people, Modi and the NDA, USIBC chairman Ajay Banga said its "member companies stand ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work with the new government to advance the US-India partnership and deepen bilateral economic ties".