The Indian American community is watching with dismay and frustration as the Left and BJP in India attempt to scuttle a civilian nuclear agreement with the US.
Members of the nearly two-million strong community have come together to persuade their lawmakers in the Congress to support the agreement.
Prominent professionals have put their careers on hold and dug deep into their pockets to travel to Washington and meet lawmakers. Advertisements were placed in newspapers, enumerating the virtues of the deal; and PR packages were produced explaining its finer points.
Swadesh Chatterjee, North Carolina-based chairman of the US-India Friendship Council, played a significant role in winning congressional support. He says while members of the Congress have adopted a wait-and-watch
attitude toward the debate in India, it is the Indian American community which is anxious about the future of the deal.
Chatterjee, who was awarded a Padma Bhushan for his work toward fostering better US-India ties, is worried that the “dirty politics” in India may cause a “tremendous setback” to the relationship.
“India's credibility would be shattered” if this deal does not go through, he said.
Ashok Mago, Texas-based chairman of the US-India Forum, admits he is disappointed at the events taking place in India. “It seems like politics as usual. Parties opposing it are placing their political interest over national interest,” he said.
Mago helped ensure the support of members of the Congress from Texas for the deal.
“Everyone knew the terms of the Hyde Act then why did the parties opposing it wait this long to oppose it and now want to kill it?” he asked.
“This administration has worked very hard, along with those who want to see India become an economic power, to get congressional approval and killing this agreement will send a signal not only to this administration but to future administrations, too,” he added.
In Massachusetts, Ramesh Kapur, president of the Indian American Security Leadership Council, helped win over his share of lawmakers. “I didn't know politics in India was this dirty,” he said.
Mago hoped political leaders in New Delhi “will put their differences aside and remember the importance of much-needed clean energy for continued growth of the Indian economy and better future for the people of India.”
Kanwal Rekhi, California-based managing partner of Inventus Capital Partners, welcomed the debate in India. “All these concerns have to be aired now,” he said, adding, “It is best we have everyone on board for this deal.”
Rekhi noted that the opposition in India may help silence critics of the deal in the US who feel “India is gloating over having had its way.”
Sanjay Puri of the US-India Political Action Committee said he was disappointed by the dilatory tactics, but added that such debate was an essential part of democracy.
Chatterjee said the deal would be in jeopardy if the US Congress did not vote on it by December 31.
