Newsletter - Historic Visit to India

Statement

Last week, I was honored to join the President and other U.S. leaders on an official visit to India.

This historic trip was a great opportunity to strengthen strategic and economic ties between our two nations. A stronger relationship will help ensure U.S. businesses, especially in California, can access India's large economy and create new, good-paying jobs here at home. It also brings stability to South Asia as we drawdown in Afghanistan.

Our region in particular has a lot to gain from the U.S.-India relationship, especially in areas where we are already leaders and India already has demand, like agriculture and defense.

For example, in Sacramento County, our agriculture economy generated more than $457 million in 2013. This supports jobs from farm workers, to truckers, to grocery store clerks - even the cashier at your local nursery. For our farmers and agricultural businesses such as Blue Diamond Almonds, exporting our locally grown products to India is a key way to succeed.

Our area also has the leading agricultural school in the world, U.C. Davis. In fact, U.C. Davis agreed to collaborate with Indian industries to see how they can prevent food losses due to spoilage. I was proud to help facilitate this agreement in my last congressional term to help grow our agriculture economy.

I was pleased that President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi made progress on civil nuclear issues, and announced new defense cooperation including the joint building of some equipment. These deals will help give U.S. companies the opportunity to grow and simultaneously help India meet its energy needs.

As the oldest and largest democracies in the world, our countries have common interests. This trip was just another step toward realizing the full potential of our partnership.

And as the only Indian American currently serving in Congress, I was humbled to be part of the U.S. delegation and represent our great country and Sacramento County abroad.

Building an economy that works for the middle class is my top priority in Congress. Making sure that American workers can successfully compete in our global economy is a critical part of that.

As always, I'm eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Be well,

Ami Bera, M.D.
Member of Congress

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