Donald Trump is taking ahead Barack Obama’s India plan: US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

NEW DELHI: The Trump administration is pursuing a robust India policy and taking forward the initiatives undertaken by its predecessor across security, defence and economic sectors, Indian-origin US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi told ET in an exclusive interview.
“The current US government is taking forward initiatives undertaken by the previous Obama Presidency to expand Indo-US partnership,” said Krishnamoorthi, who was on his maiden trip to India since his election to the House of Representatives in November last year.
“The tone and nature of bilateral ties is as consistent as before. I am hopeful that both India and USA would be able to expand their counter-terror partnership through wider intelligence sharing and effective coordination.”
Krishnamoorthi was the lone US Congressman who attended the maiden Indo-US Forum, a platform established by India’s external affairs ministry in collaboration with public policy body Ananta Aspen Centre for officials, thought leaders and industry captains to exchange ideas to push bilateral partnership.
Referring to the US’ focus on the Indo-Pacific region Krishnamoorthi said he hoped that America would continue to expand is partnership with India in the region to ensure freedom of navigation, along with overall political and economic stability.
Security and defence partnership is not the only area which has caught Krishnamoorthi’s attention as he is keen to promote American investments in India and vice versa. “While US investments in India are growing we also need Indian investments in America. I would welcome Indian FDI into my constituency that would also help to create jobs and boost growth,” said Krishnamoorthi, one of the four Indian-origin Congressmen in the current House of Representatives.
When asked about the role of the US Congress in immigration reforms, which directly impact Indians seeking opportunities in America, the lawmaker said that the administration will undertake comprehensive and not piecemeal approach while amending the immigration rules. Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th congressional district, was born into a Tamil family in Delhi.
His family moved to Buffalo, New York, when he was three months old, so that his father could attend graduate school. From a humble childhood Krishnamoorthi went on to attend Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He then received a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. He later worked as a staffer on Barack Obama's 2000 election campaign for the United States House of Representatives.
Krishnamoorthi served as an issues director for Obama’s 2004 election to the United States Senate and was part of the team that worked on Obama’s Democratic National Convention keynote address that year.