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US Congress passes bill to allow India to join APEC

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In a move to strengthen the ties between India and US, the US congress has passed the bill in senate which will allow India to be a member of APEC.

APEC

  • Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation
  • Member nations: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam
  • It includes 21 economiesAPEC
  • It is headquartered in Singapore

Passage of the bill

  • Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Matt Salmon, introduced the legislation in the US Congress
  • He was joined by Ami Bera, the only Indian- American lawmaker in the current Congress, Co-Chair Congressional Caucus on India
  • They were also supported by Indian-Americans; Ed Royce, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee; Elliot Engel, Brad Sherman, George Holding, Derek Kilmer, Dana Rohrabacher and Scott DesJarlai
  • All of them insisted that India being a fast growing economy should find a place in APEC
  • It will find an avenue for continued trade and investment partnerships with APEC member states
  • They also suggested to actively ask APEC member states to support such membership status for India
  • The report should be submitted within 2 months of passing of the legislation

Points to note

  • APEC joint secretary of the state– John Kerry