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India-U.S. Ties Getting Stronger Every Day: Thomas Souzzi

American Congressman Thomas Souzzi said Pakistan needs to take serious responsibility of acting against terrorists operating from its soil

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US Congressman Thomas Souzzi said that the United States could consider putting curbs on military and civil supplies to Pakistan, besides other measures, if it does not take responsibility of curbing terrorism in its homeland more seriously.  

Relations between Washington and Islamabad turned sour after Pakistan and China signed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) deal, allowing Beijing to use its port for export. India has had more success wooing the United States by denouncing terrorism and Pakistan for its role in propagating it.  

“We have been very very generous in our affection to the Pakistanis, but we really feel that they have not held up their part of the bargain as far as going after the terrorism within Pakistan. It is being exported beyond their borders,” Souzzi told the Times Now television channel in an interview. The New York 3rd Congressional District representative accused Pakistan of exporting violence to Afghanistan and India. He added that the United States cannot leave Afghanistan as it has no choice since terrorism is not going to stop.  

On Aug. 30, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a resolution denouncing U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement against Pakistan, calling it “hostile” and “threatening”.  

Souzzi, who is a member of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, also said that the relationship between Washington and New Delhi is “getting stronger every single day.” Pointing out that the two countries share the same values, he added that “the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy will continue to flourish.” 

Souzzi, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that while people used to look towards America for leadership and help, currently India can be sought for “their leadership, quite frankly because India is growing in their technological capabilities, in their economic growth, and the exportation of ideas and people and values to other parts of the world.”  

The American politician is also the member of House Armed Services Committee, and is the Vice-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus and Co-Chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus. He was the mayor of his hometown Glen Cove, NY from 1994-2001 and the Nassau County Executive from 2002 to 2009.