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US Congressmen want Vajpayee to address joint session

About 35 Congressmen from the United States have urged for an invitation to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to address a joint session of the Congress.

In a letter to house Speaker Dennis Hastert, the legislators, led by Congressman James McDermott, recalled that President Bill Clinton had addressed the Indian parliament during his visit in March earlier this year and said India was becoming 'an important focus of American foreign policy'.

"The growing economic relationship with India is being built on, for better or worse, the reality of India being a nuclear power," they said. Besides, "India is a democracy in an unstable region, and a hedge against Chinese military influence," the letter said.

"Given our growing relationship, it is only fitting that Prime Minister Vajpayee be given the honour of addressing a joint session of Congress. We urge you to invite him to do so when he travels to the United States," the letter said.

The legislators said the US has a great deal in common with India. India's massive consumer markets, aptitude in high technology and judicial and political stability have begun to attract greater attention from American companies, they said.

The legislators also appreciated the contribution of Indian-Americans to the US, which further 'ties us to India'.

PTI

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