Hopefully the presence in Congress of an American who happens to be Hindu will increase America's understanding of India as well as India's understanding of America.

It is clear that there needs to be a closer working relationship between the United States and India. How can we have a close relationship if decision-makers in Washington know very little, if anything, about the religious beliefs, values, and practices of India's 800 million Hindus?

I've seen firsthand the high human cost of war.

It makes no sense for us to consider going back there and getting involved in what truly is a religious civil war. What real difference would it make on the ground? And secondly, is it in the best interests of the United States to do that? I would say that those questions are not being answered in a compelling way that would cause me to support that.

Every soldier knows this simple fact: If you don't know your enemy, you will not be able to defeat him.

In the military, I learned that 'leadership' means raising your hand and volunteering for the tough, important assignments.

As a combat veteran, I know the cost of war.