A powerful bipartisan American Congressional delegation, led by House of Representatives India and Indian-Americans, caucus co-chairs Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, is set to visit India to witness the unfurling of the Tricolour flag at Red Fort and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on Independence Day. This visit marks the first time that a US political delegation will join the August 15 celebrations. The bipartisan delegation consists of eight American legislators, including Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Waltz, a Republican from Florida. The delegation also includes Deborah Ross, Kat Cammack, Shri Thanedar, Jasmine Crockett, Rich McCormick, and Ed Case.

The delegation believes that the US-India relationship will be a defining one of the 21st Century and aims to strengthen economic and defense ties between the two countries. They also seek to promote shared values of democracy, freedom of the press and assembly, and human rights. The delegation's visit will kick off in Mumbai on August 10, where they will meet corporate leaders with investments in the US and gain insights into India’s digital public infrastructure. They will also visit the Western Naval Command and engage with figures from popular culture.

The delegation will then travel to Hyderabad, where they will visit the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited facility and a biotech company, highlighting the defense and scientific collaboration between the two countries. The visit will culminate in New Delhi, where the delegation will meet Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and engage in discussions on strategic issues, including China.

One of the significant aspects of this visit is the continued engagement of the Indian government with both chambers of the US Congress, emphasizing the importance of the bilateral relationship. Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer led a high-powered delegation of Senate leaders to India, and the Senate expedited the approval of Eric Garcetti as US ambassador to India. The Senate also passed a resolution condemning China’s aggression against India. On the House side, Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been a strong supporter of closer India-US ties.

Khanna and Waltz are important figures in the American political and strategic landscape. Khanna is a member of the House select committee on strategic competition with China and a progressive legislator with strong stances against China’s aggression. Waltz is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, with a background as an Afghanistan veteran.

For Khanna, this visit holds personal significance as his grandfather was an Indian freedom fighter and Congress parliamentarian who spent time in jail alongside Mahatma Gandhi. Khanna views this visit as an opportunity to uphold the values of human rights, freedom of the press, and a vibrant democracy. Overall, the bipartisan Congressional delegation's visit to India signifies the strengthening of the US-India relationship and aims to promote collaboration on economic, defense, and strategic issues. This visit highlights the importance of shared values and the role of both countries in ensuring multipolarity in Asia.