with talks held by politicians such as Joe Crowley, Joe Wilson, Ed Royce, and Jim McDermott. In July 2003, USINPAC organized a Capital Hill reception with the American Jewish Committee and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in what the New York Times opined was a "small part of a larger trend of cooperation between Israeli and Indian interests" at large. Pakistan aid and bills (2003–2004) On the issue of aid to Pakistan, USINPAC has from its founding advocated cutting funding to the Pakistani government, instead arguing aid to Pakistan should come "via non-governmental organizations that support political and economic reform with the specific objective of increasing Pakistani economic integration with the international community of nations." According to the Asia Times, USINPAC "put itself on the political map" in May 2003 "when it successfully lobbied for an amendment to the House's US$3 billion aid package for Pakistan." The amendment, which was proposed by Gary Ackerman of the India Caucus in the US Congress, called for "an end to US assistance until Pakistan stopped cross-border attacks in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir and gave up weapons of mass destruction." While Ackerman withdrew the amendment after disputes, Asia Times writes "what is important to note is that Ackerman and the USINPAC were not making empty threats: they had the capability to push through the amendment, and the White House knew it." Eni Faleomavaega of the India Caucus in the US Congress instead pushed an alternate but similar amendment through, which among other points "ceased the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, including any associated technologies, to any third country or terrorist organization." Nuclear agreement (2005–2008) USINPAC set up operations in New Delhi in 2005. From 2005 to 2008 USINPAC advocated for expanded cooperation on defense issues between the US and India. Starting in 2005, for example, USINPAC was closely involved in the passage of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, playing a key role in getting it through Congress three years later. The agreement, first drafted by American and Indian politicians in 2005 and announced by US President George W. Bush in March 2006, would "end a moratorium on sales of nuclear fuel and reactor components to India's civilian nuclear program." Lobbying had "intensified" by June 2006, as USINPAC worked with the Indian American Center for Public Awareness and the Indian American Forum for Political Education to ensure that "the 39