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On June 13th, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) hosted a successful US India Summit at Capitol Hill, featuring impactful advocacy and discussions on key policy issues. Over 135 Indian American delegates from 22 states met with more than 83 elected officials from 35 states. They addressed topics like ICET and tech export exemption for India, elevating Major Defense Partner status of India, eliminating 7% per country quota to eliminate GC backlog and other immigration reforms, religious bias and hate crimes against Indian Americans, specifically Hindus, and Indo-Pacific security.
The purpose of this event was to raise policy matters and engage in discussions with House representatives and their staff. The delegates aimed to provide a voice for the 4.5 million Indian Americans who contribute to various fields but lack sufficient influence on policy matters. In 2023, FIIDS had hosted a similar advocacy day in which 14 teams from 18 states met and discussed with ~75 House of Representatives and their staffs creating awareness about our issues and related bills.
FIIDS created awareness about following policy matters and issues:
- US-India Relationship: As the US India partnership is critical for the world at this stage, the Whitehouse and PMO of India launched the Initiate for Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) to address global security concerns. As the ICET paper called out, FIIDS emphasizes the need to relax tech export controls. This includes passing H.R. 5374 to exempt India from critical technology export controls. Moreover, FIIDS ask to codify the Major Defense Partner (MDP) status, uniquely given to India in 2016, into law, akin to Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status to enable a framework and funding for defense partnership.
- Indo-Pacific Trade and Security: Given the Indo-Pacific’s immense trade value and strategic significance as well as concerns around China’s aggressive presence in the Indo Pacific , FIIDS recommends strengthening and expanding alliances beyond QUAD, AUKUS, and SQUAD to address regional security challenges posed by China’s assertive actions. This includes supporting H.R.5375, H.R.6597, and H.R.7962.
- Legal/Tech Immigration and Green Card Backlog: As the country wise GC quota has choked talented and tax paying Indian, mainly tech, immigrants for decades in getting their green card, FIIDS advocates reforms to get them and their family relief and make them contribute in the tech talent needs of the US. We create awareness of S.3291 (EAGLE Act) and H.R.6542 to remove the 7% country cap on green cards, HR 1535 to use unused green cards to reduce the backlog, H.R.3442 to protect children of long-term visa holders, and H.R.4358 (PHDs First Act) to facilitate immigration for PhD holders.
- Indian Diaspora Contributions and Concerns: On the background of recent attacks on places of worship and hate crimes, FIIDS recommends H.Res. 1131 that not only celebrates Hindu Americans but also condemns attacks on Hindu places of worship and Hinduphobia. This resolution highlights the need for inclusivity and diversity.
- Critical Minerals: Considering needs of high tech and defense on critical minerals, FIIDS calls for a comprehensive strategy to reduce US dependence on China for critical minerals essential for high-tech and defense applications. The organization supports legislative measures such as H.Res.1082, S.2031, and S.3631/H.R.7662, while advocating for more robust action to secure supply chains and protect national security.
More details are at : http://tiny.cc/advocacy-bills-brief
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