New York Congressman Tom Suozzi has apologized for not consulting Indian Americans on a letter he sent expressing concerns about recent developments in Kashmir, Telegraph India reports.
On August 9, Congressman Suozzi sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a letter raising concerns about India’s decision to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the decision risks “provoking mass social unrest.”
“These new restrictions on the autonomy of the state and the rights of Kashmiris could also embolden extremists and terrorists to act,” Suozzi said in the letter.
Suozzi’s letter angered many of his Indian American constituents. Suozzi’s district covers parts of Queens and Long Island, which have sizeable Indian American populations, according to India West.
On Sunday, Suozzi met with 100 of his Indian American constituents to discuss the letter.
“Based upon my meeting it is clear that it was a mistake to not consult with some of my Indian-American friends and supporters before I sent the letter,” Congressman Suozzi said in a statement. “I should have. I am sorry. If I had met with them before sending the letter, I would have framed my concerns differently.”
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