Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Heaping praise on India, US Congressman Rich McCormick said that alienating New Delhi would be "big trouble for all of us". McCormick said that India brings investments in the United States, whereas Pakistan, which has a population of 300 million, fails to do so.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), McCormick who is a member of Donald Trump's Republican party, said, "Pakistan is a country with 300 million people. But you don't see it bringing investments into America. India not only takes investments, but it also brings investments into the United States."
"Talent matters, and India is supplying a tremendous amount of talent. Not just in exporting talented people, but also in what they are filling in," he added.
India-US ties turn sour
The Republican leader's remarks come at a time when the ties between India and the US are on a downward trajectory and US President Donald Trump has warmed up to Pakistan.
Ties between the US and India have been under strain after the Trump administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on India, taking the total levies to 50%, over its purchase of Russian oil. A stalemate over a bilateral trade deal has further complicated matters.
'Alienating India would spell big trouble for US'
McCormick underscored that alienating India would spell "big trouble" for the US. "If America embraces Indians as friends, we will have peace and prosperity. If we alienate them, it is going to be big trouble for all of us," the US Congressman said.
He further said the US "hates" that India was still buying Russian oil. He also called PM Modi "extremely nationalistic" and said India was purchasing Russian oil to expand its economy with cheap energy.
"PM Modi is extremely nationalistic in a good way. He's looking out for his country. When India buys cheap Russian oil, America hates that. But he is doing it in the best interest of his country," the Republican leader said.
