Calling India an important ally and a critical trading partner of the United States, Congressman Francis Rooney has said that Washington should support India in its continued fight against terrorism as well as in countering other geopolitical and regional threats faced by the country.

Speaking on the house floor days after meeting Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Rooney said, "India facesmany regional and geopolitical threats. Islamic insurgents are a constant threat, spreading terror throughout Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in India.We should support the government in Delhi in the continued fight againstterror."

"India also faces an increasingly aggressive andassertive China that continues to export its malign influence throughout theIndo-Pacific region. China's behavior is destabilizing India's near-abroad,saddling its neighbors with unpayable debts, as was the case with the portproject in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. India is also on constant alert with ahostile and unstable nuclear-armed state to their West--Pakistan," headded.Rooney said that Washington must continue working towards strengtheningits trade relationship with India, increasing bilateral foreign directinvestment, and consider the negotiation of a free trade agreement."Wemust continue working together to confront dangers abroad, strengthen oureconomic relationship, and advance the cause of freedom and democracy aroundthe world," he said.