Closer Indo-US strategic, economic ties need of hour: Verma

US Ambassador to India Richard R Verma today said it was the need of hour for having closer strategic and economic ties between the two countries to enrich the society in various fields and stamp out the evils like communalism, human trafficking, hunger and terrorism from the world.
He was addressing the 4th convocation ceremony of the US-sponsored Young India Fellowship programme, organised at Ashoka University in Rajiv Gandhi Education City near Sonepat.
"Together we can free the world from the sufferings and help the countries in establishing rule of law," he said.
"The US and India are the two great democracies where there is rule of law and respect for human values," he said and praised India for introducing yoga as UN's health care programme in over 170 countries.

He also hoped for more collaboration between Indian and US universities to successfully meet the global challenges.
He said that the Young India Fellowship programme was aimed at bringing together emerging leaders from around India and groom them into socially conscious leaders in liberal arts.
"These fellows are multi-dimensional young men and women who have the capacity to integrate diverse interests and learning to become real agent of change," he said.
On the occasion, he handed over certificates to 197 fellows. Young India Fellowship is a one-year multi-disciplinary postgraduate programme in Liberal Studies and Leadership, conducted at Ashoka University.