See the full statement of Congressman Suozzi
"On Sunday, I met with 100 of my Indian-American constituents regarding my
recent letter to Secretary Pompeo expressing my concerns about recent
developments in Kashmir. Based upon my meeting
it is clear that it was a mistake to not consult with some of my
Indian-American friends and supporters before I sent the letter. I should have.
I am sorry. If I had met with them before sending the letter, I would have
framed my concerns differently.
Throughout my career in public service, I have been an ardent supporter of India,
their sovereignty, and have always stood with them in their fight against
terrorism. The US-India relationship will be done of our most important over
the next 50 years and beyond. I have spent my time in Congress promoting an
elevating this relationship and will continue to do so.
India,
the world's largest democracy, remains critical for regional security and
peace. The current situation in Kashmir
presents some very serious challenges. The United States should seek to be
helpful in securing safety and peaces for all people.
Moving forward, I will make sure to solicit the input of all my constituents
who have a vested interest in Kashmir and work
towards a peaceful region that roots out terrorism and corruption as well as
respects human rights. It is my hope, that recent developments in the region will
eventually lead to this."
Attorney Ravi Batra
“I welcome Tom’s candid admission of error, and while it
implicitly amends his lLetter to Sec. Pompeo, a follow up letter to the
Secretary is in order to set the record right, and I urge him to do so
forthwith,’ attorney and noted community leader Ravi Batra said.
‘That said, however, this is a teaching moment for all elected representatives
to not pander to one slice or another of one’s constituents as local partisan
politics is a far cry from serving the ‘best interests’ of the United States.
And, here, as I told Tom - our national interest is to be a real friend of the
Sub-Continent, all of it, and help make it terror-free, support actions that
reduce or eliminate terror, so peace and security is enhanced for every
law-abiding citizen on the Sub-Continent.
‘State-sponsored cross-border export of terror or fermentation of terror
anywhere, as part of statecraft, is intolerable to America after 9/11. Our desire to
stabilize this region, which includes Afghanistan, and bring it to
greater prosperity for all is only achievable if human rights are respected as
soon as law and order is established pursuant to international norms and
relevant civil law of each nation. Let every American of Indian, Pakistani,
Bangladeshi, Afghani or Italian ancestry be proud, that as an American, our
nation - the United States Of America - is a force and source of human rights,
justice and stability in a Terror-Free world,’ Batra said