India is one of the most important relationships of US: Congressman Engel

India is now one of the most important relationships for the US and a strong and vibrant Indian-American community has played a key role in it, a top American lawmaker has said.

Congressman Eliot Engel, chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the remarks while speaking at an event organised by the American India Public Affairs Committee to felicitate him in recognition of his contribution towards India-US relationship.

"That India is now one of the US' most important relationships -- whether working together to address climate change, trade and economic growth, security or space exploration -- speaks volumes about the exponential growth and potential of our bilateral ties, Congressman Eliot Engel said.

Engel, a Democratic lawmaker from New York, said at the heart of this friendship are people-to-people ties especially the strong and vibrant Indian-American community that has brought such incredible energy to this relationshipdriving stronger engagement and helping keep things on track during challenging times.

Looking forward to working with Indian Americans to ensure that this bilateral relationship continues to grow, Engel said as a founding member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans almost 25 years ago, he has been a longtime supporter of strengthening the US-India relationship.

When we first established the caucus, the relationship was more about the things we could not do together, than the areas where we were cooperating. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated leaders from both our countries, we're now standing shoulder-to-shoulder in ways that no one would have imagined a generation ago, Engel said, addressing a group of eminent Indian Americans.

Welcoming Engel, Jagdish Sewhani president of American India Public Affairs Committee said that the ties between India and the US is not only natural but in coming years it will grow at a rapid speed.