A productive trip to India, says new NRI US Congressman Ami Bera

WASHINGTON: US Congressman Ami Bera said that his trip to India was productive and he learn innovative ways that can benefit economies of both the countries.


This was his first visit to India after being elected to the US House of Representatives.

"I had a productive trip to India that helped me learn about new ways our countries can grow our economic partnership to benefit both economies and bring new jobs to Sacramento County," Ami Bera said in a statement at the conclusion of his week-long India trip.

He is the only Indian American in the current Congress and the third ever Indian American lawmaker.

"Many of the people I met were interested in the benefits provided by our region. The companies looking to locate or expand, an abundant and well-educated workforce, world-class research institutions, a world-renowned location for renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency, and lower operational costs than all other major metropolitan areas in California," Bera said.

"As the son of parents who immigrated to America from India more than 50 years ago, I was also proud to be able to return to India as a United States Congressman," he said in a statement after returning from an eight-day visit to India.

In India he met with business leaders, government officials, policy advocates and innovators in the non-profit sector to increase his understanding of the relationship between the US and India and to explore opportunities for partnerships in the Sacramento region.

During the trip Bera helped facilitate an agreement between the Confederation of Indian Industry ( CII) and the University of California Davis Postharvest Technology Centre to collaborate on postharvest technology to reduce food losses due to spoilage.

He also secured a pledge from CII to bring a delegation of Indian CEOs and potential investors to Sacramento County in the next year to learn more about potential partnerships and investment opportunities in the region.

Bera visited Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore, where he met with business leaders from both American and Indian companies to strengthen the trade relationship between India and the US, specifically the Sacramento region, which he represents in the Congress and to encourage investment to bring new jobs to the area.

He also discussed the strategic geopolitical relationship between the two countries with high-ranking Indian and US government officials.

A proponent for strengthening United States strategic and trading relationship with India and Asia, Bera is a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee and is working to open Asian markets to California products to create new jobs.