"Our two nations share many common values and strategic interests. India plays a central role in the Asia-Pacific region, and we must do our part to ensure that India is a centrepiece of America's rebalance to Asia," he stated.
A couple of days earlier, Steve Chabot, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, withdrew his name as an original cosponsor of the resolution.
While Royce and Chabot did not mention Modi in their statements, Eni Faleomavaega, the top Democrat on the subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, criticised the resolution for "failing to note that India's Supreme Court has found no evidence against Modi".
The House resolution "purports to praise India's rich religious diversity and commitment to tolerance and equality while reaffirming the need to protect the rights and freedom of religious minorities," he noted.
"However, rather than praising India, the Resolution focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots some 11 years after the incident while failing to note that India's Supreme Court has found no evidence against Modi."
"From now until the elections in India," USINPAC said it "will spare no effort in making sure the US Congress does not intentionally or unintentionally influence the outcome of India's upcoming elections".
"India is a sovereign nation and its citizens have a right to choose their leaders," it added.
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