Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit would boost relations between India and America, U.S Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said here that she has never seen any Indian leader’s visit to the United States generating so much excitement among the Indian American community.
“I have never seen so much excitement in the Indian American community for a leader in India. Everyone is very positive, his message is very positive; strengthen bonds between America and India. I see even stronger future for the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy.” Carolyn B Maloney told ANI here.
Explaining how much importance America gave to good ties with India, Baloney said, “The very first state dinner that the President had was with India. It broke a long tradition, it was always with England and now it was with India. It’s really very important that he is having yet another important dinner for India.”
“It shows how much he values the bilateral relationship, the ties that we have had in economic development and commerce and trade and fighting terrorism. We have been strong allies in fighting terrorism and I can I can only see these bonds getting stronger and deeper,” she told ANI.
Baloney, who is the U.S. Representative for New York’s 12th congressional district, also pointed out that forty members of Congress flew across the country to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the historic Madison Square Garden.
“In the Garden this morning, there were over 20,000 people cheering and I had never seen so many members of Congress, they flew across the country from California, Indiana, Texas. Forty different members of Congress and four senators were there to welcome him. It was unprecedented.”
At the Madison Square Garden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “I am going to make an India of your dreams,” and exhorted the Indian American community to join in the development effort for India.
“When people ask me about my ‘bigger vision’, I tell them that I reached the post of Prime Minister by selling tea. I am a simple man, so I focus on small things.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also unveiled a series of facilitation initiatives aimed at making travel from America to India easier and announced that PIO cardholders will be granted visa for life, and a new scheme will be announced soon, merging the two schemes.
Terming the Prime Minister’s speech as inspirational, Baloney said, “It was inspirational. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for the country. The focus on the poor, the youth, the possibilities for the future that we can help each other and build a peaceful world,”
Baloney also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi told her that he gets up at 4 am for Yoga. “I too have to start doing this,” she added.
–ANI