India’s Ambassador-at-Large Agnihotri says dual citizenship for Indian Americans will become a reality next year

CHICAGO: The fact that Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border infiltration of terrorists into India is the root cause for problems between the two South Asian neighbors is better understood by the United States today, according to India’s Ambassador-at-Large Bhishma Agnihotri. Addressing the 20th Annual Convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) here, he urged Indian Americans to continue influencing India-U.S. relationship.

Agnihotri also announced that on Jan. 9, 2003, dual citizenship for Indian Americans, as also other members of the diaspora in several countries across the globe, will become a reality.

The momentous occasion will coincide with the day a successful Indian lawyer returned to Indian shores after 20 years in South Africa, he noted, referring to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

“We have the greatest politics at this time (between India and the U.S.),” said Agnihotri adding that India and Pakistan were on the verge of war, which, he claimed, was prevented solely by the actions of India’s Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Everybody knows the problem started with cross-border terrorism,” he noted. At the same time, he said that since the U.S. needed Pakistan at this juncture, India did not have a problem with that.

“But they (U.S.) understand that the problem started with Pakistan,” he said, adding that India “is in a very good position. But more has to be done and I depend on you.”

He praised AAPI for its work and its growth, noting that its evolution was not easy. “But in all this turbulence, we have worked as a family. It (AAPI) has been an example and everywhere I go, I have told people how AAPI has been above regional alliances, petty differences. It has been a cosmopolitan organization.”

Agnihotri said Indian physicians had always gone beyond the call of duty. “That’s why you (Indian-American physicians) count in America. That’s why the 35,000 (members of the Indian-American physician community) are the backbone of this country.”

On his role as an ambassador-at-large, he said he was focusing on second-generation Indian Americans to make sure that they stayed in touch with India.

Unlike Gandhi who returned to India to lead the freedom struggle, he said, today’s nonresident Indians do not have to return.

“We can create wonders for India here,” he said, and emphasized the need to create a global family. “I need your leadership.”