India Caucus gets new leaders

WASHINGTON: Democratic Congressmen Joe Crowley of New York and Republican Joe Wilson of South Carolina were elected co-chairs on Wednesday of the Indian-American Congressional Caucus, an informal legislative grouping that advances Indo-US ties.
The Caucus leadership changes every two years with the induction of the new Congress and Wednesday''s makeover in which the "two Joe''s" replaced Congressmen Jim McDermott and Ed Royce was a relatively smooth affair.
Joe Crowley, an Irish American who is a product of the New York democratic machine, is a familiar figure to Indian-Americans in part because a major portion of his electoral district is in Jackson Heights, a strong Indian enclave in New York''s Queens Borough that is sometime jocularly referred to as Jaikishen Heights.
Congressman Crwoley himself estimates that his seventh district of New York contains 40,000 Indian Americans, the second highest concentration of any district in the United States.
"This Caucus helps to facilitate more Indian American connectedness and involvement in the United States Congress. I look forward to working hard with the members of the India Caucus and the Indian Americans in my district to promote trade, technology and labour," Crowley said in statement that followed his election.
Congressman Wilson''s Indian connection goes back to his father who spent time in the sub-continent as an airman during World War Two when "he gained a great admiration for the people and their culture."
"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I want to see the US develop a deeper military relationship with the people of India, as they are a crucial ally in the War on Terrorism," Congressman Wilson said in a statement following his election.
The India Caucus is estimated to have 135 members now. Although the number is impressive and it is arguably the largest country related caucus, only a few of its members play an active role in defining Indo-US ties. In the past, the caucus, barring a few outspoken members, has been cowed down and subservient to the administration''s line on India.