A bipartisan Congressional delegation recently visited India for its Independence Day and discussions of furthering ties between the South Asian country and the United States. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL), Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, appeared on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria, where he called the relationship "the most important partnership in the 21st century."
Rep. Waltz's comment comes at a time when concerns have been raised over Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) moving away from the dollar when conducting international trade, he remained optimistic.
"Here is the thing that is so exciting about India: The world's largest democracy, now a larger country than China, partnered with the world's oldest democracy in the United States," said Rep. Waltz.
Additionally, while he and other House Republicans have spoken of "decoupling" from foreign countries for supply chains "to the extent possible," India would provide a far better trade partner for importing goods than China as "a fellow democracy... that is not talking about replacing the United States."
"We talk a lot about decoupling, derisking, moving supply chains. Of course, I want them here in the United States to the extent possible, but to the extent, it is not possible, let's move on to a fellow democracy like India that is not talking about replacing the United States... There are so many things across so many industries; space, biotech, pharma for the United States and India to partner on. That is what we are moving towards," said Waltz.
By "talking about replacing the United States," Waltz referred to China, which has become "the number one, two, and three things" India has prioritized as a threat over its long-time rival Pakistan, as the Chinese have encroached on its Himalayan border with India. In June 2020, 20 Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a deadly border clash, which Waltz said "has really galvanized India, and it is pushing it closer to the West and closer to the United States."
In June, Waltz helped introduce a bill in Congress that would fast-track arms purchases for the South Asian country.
