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Brown wants PM to address US Congress

Top Democratic Congressman Sherrod Brown has urged House Speaker Dennis Hastert to invite Indian Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to address a joint session of Congress when he visits Washington later this year.

"The prime minister has a strong message about the future of India and Asia. He deserves the honour of speaking to the House of Representatives. In this world of global trade and communication, nothing will be more important than listening to the leader of the world's largest democracy. His presence in Congress will be a great step in US-Indian relations," Brown, a founding member of the Congressional India caucus and member of the International Relations Committee, said.

The commerce department, Brown noted, has identified India as one of 10 big emerging markets.

India's development in high-tech and manufacturing industries, he pointed out, had created attractive ventures for American trade and investment.

"If our high ideals of freedom and democracy are to reach every man and woman in the developing world," Brown said, "the United States needs to increase trade with nations like India."

Referring to some sanctions still in effect against India, Brown said: "We need to support countries (like India) that respect human rights, not punish them."

PTI

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