The representatives of the US ‘India Caucus’ are working to ensure that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets to speak to the United States Congress, said US Congressman Ro Khanna on Thursday.

“We’re working to ensure that the Prime Minister gets to speak to the United States Congress. The co-chairs will be requesting the Speaker to issue that invitation,” Ro Khanna told ANI. According to media reports, PM Modi will be on a bilateral visit to the US in June-July this year.

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In response to what could be the key deliverables from PM Modi’s US visit, Khanna said, “Well, as I said earlier that defence is deliverable and the jet engines are, I think, critical. The immigration reform is critical, and also deepening the strategic partnership which we saw today.”

Responding to the query about what the two countries, India and the US, must do differently to make a difference in the relationship, Khanna said that the US wants to make sure the GE Engines deal with India is done so that they don’t lose out to Europe.

After holding the India-US Business Summit, he said, “We need to be stronger on defence, and this is a key time. India has realised that the Soviet military equipment doesn’t work as well. They realise the Soviet Union is moving towards China, and they have really been open to building a strong relationship with America. They want these jet engines, and the first thing is to make sure that deal gets done, hopefully before the Prime Minister’s visit.”

When asked about the economic future between the two countries, the US Congressman said that he thinks India can emerge as the market hub in Asia.

“You see companies like Apple moving out of China, moving into India into Bangalore, opening up Apple stores there. I have encouraged companies to, of course, manufacture in the United States, restore into the United States, but to the extent they need to sell into Asia to look to allies like India instead of China,” said Ro Khanna.

On being asked if there was bipartisan support when it comes to understanding India’s viewpoint on its ties with Russia, Khanna said, “Well, I think there’s an understanding, as Secretary Mattis pointed out, of India’s energy needs and an understanding that we need to figure out how to provide India with alternative sources of cheaper energy. And I’ve appreciated that India has unequivocally condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but this should not be a barrier to strengthening a partnership that will last decades.”