US lawmakers to foster closer India ties through community

Three leading Democratic lawmakers have vowed to engage with the Indian-American community to identify possible areas for near-term collaboration and work to address challenges in the US-India partnership.

The three - Steny H. Hoyer, Joe Crowley and Eliot L. Engel - voiced their commitment to engaging with the Indian-American community on issues concerning the future of US-India relationship at a roundtable here Thursday.

Hoyer is House Democratic Whip, Crowley is Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans and Engel is the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The lawmakers were joined by members of the Indian-American community, business leaders, diplomats, and Obama Administration officials to explore potential avenues for closer collaboration between the two countries.

"America has much to gain through close engagement and partnership with the world's largest democracy," said Hoyer.

"A stronger India is positive for the United States and the world, and could serve as a force for greater stability, security, and prosperity."

"The United States and India aren't just friends, we are natural partners rooted in our shared values and interests," said Crowley.

"From economic ties and tourism, to defence and cultural relations, the multifaceted relationship between the US and India is growing at a rapid pace."

"And as India has assumed an essential role on the global stage, US-India ties have never been more relevant," he said.

"This dialogue is an important step in fostering the US-India relationship and discovering new opportunities to grow and develop what has the potential of becoming the most important bilateral relationship in the world."

"The ties between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century," said Engel.

"India has become an important economic, political, and security partner for the United States and we must find ways to further strengthen the many areas where we are already working together," he said.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)