American Lawmaker Pushes for Strong Free Trade Agreement with India to Counter China's Influence

 American lawmaker Darrell Issa has proposed that the United States and India should establish strong agreements, including a genuine Free Trade Agreement (FTA), to bolster their partnership against the threat posed by China. Issa, a Republican Congressman from California, believes that India could serve as an alternative manufacturing hub to China, producing goods at comparable costs. He emphasized the potential for India to transition from dirty fuel to cleaner alternatives and stressed the necessity for both countries to prioritize each other through robust agreements.

During a dialogue with Aparna Pande, a Research Fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC, Issa also addressed the immigration backlog and the need for Indian investors to expand their foothold in the United States. He advocated for a strong FTA between India and the US, drawing parallels to other alliances such as Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and NATO, which have ever-growing free trade agreements and mutual agreements to share technology. Issa highlighted the shared values between Indian and American societies and spoke about the potential for the two countries to fill shortages in each other's workforce through partnership.

He also emphasized the need for a multilateral relationship, stating that he does not believe in a one-world system but rather in partnerships that involve multiple countries. In addition to discussing economic partnerships, Issa also provided insights into the upcoming elections in Pakistan, stating that the country does not have free and fair elections and that the military's influence poses a threat to the government's independence. His views align with the overarching theme of fostering stronger international relationships to address common threats and create opportunities for economic growth and social progress.