The United States and India have moved past historical hesitations, a sentiment echoed by Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma during the US-India Chamber of Commerce DFW’s 25th Annual Awards Gala on December 10. Verma, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflected on the evolving partnership between the two nations.
“Overcome the hesitations of history… what great verbiage, and how appropriately said,” Verma remarked, referencing Modi’s speech to a joint session of Congress. He elaborated, “The United States and India have not had a very long relationship: just over 75 years, and unfortunately, for much of that history, we were not very close. In fact, many would say we were ‘estranged.’”
Verma delved into the early history of US-India relations, highlighting the connections formed during the leadership of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy. “We started out so strong with Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, who saw the enormous promise of India and U.S.-India ties,” he recalled. He cited Kennedy’s remarks as a US Senator, stating, “The hinge of fate in Asia rests with India.” Verma also mentioned Eisenhower’s historic visit to India in 1959, where the President inaugurated the first US Embassy in the country and expressed hope for lasting bonds between American and Indian youth. Eisenhower had proclaimed, “If young Indian and American children grow up to be the best of friends, then the world will be a safer and better place.”
However, by 1965, the relationship between the two countries underwent a stark shift. “We were locked into our Cold War differences: cordial, but distant,” Verma explained. This dynamic persisted for decades and only began to change in the late 1990s.
Verma credited President Clinton’s visit to India in 2000 as a turning point. “President Clinton finally broke out of our long period of estrangement and said it was time for a new and ambitious relationship, much like Eisenhower and Kennedy had wanted: a relationship based and built on shared values,” he said. This marked the beginning of a steady upward trajectory in US-India relations over the past 24 years.
During the event, Verma also celebrated the US-India Chamber of Commerce’s 25th anniversary and shared a deeply personal story about his own immigrant roots. “We are all from the same place,” he began, recalling his father’s journey to the United States. Verma described how his father arrived in New York City with only $14 and a bus ticket, starting life anew with limited resources. “And yes, his son would go on to be the US Ambassador to India and now, the Deputy Secretary of State,” he reflected, emphasizing, “Only in America. That is the promise of the American dream.”
Through his remarks, Verma painted a picture of two nations overcoming historical challenges to build a partnership rooted in shared aspirations and values. The gala served as a testament to the progress made and the promising future of US-India relations.