India Caucus to host reception for Meera Shankar

Lalit K Jha

Washington, July 10 (PTI) In yet another sign of
deepening relationship between India and the United States,
the Friends of Indian Caucus in the US Senate is holding a
rare Congressional reception for the new Indian Ambassador to
the US, Meera Shankar.

The reception, to be attended by top Senators from both
the Republican and Democratic parties, is scheduled to be
hosted by the Friends of India Caucus in the US Senate on July
28 at the Capitol.

"In the 111th Congress, the US Senate India Caucus will
continue to serve as a forum for US Senators and Indian
leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest," John Cornyn,
the Republican Senator from Texas, told PTI.

Cornyn is Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus found on
April 30, 2004 - the last day of the then Indian Ambassador to
the US, Lalit Mansingh. Senator Chris Dodd is the other
Co-Chair of the caucus from the Democratic Party, a
position which was held by Hillary Clinton before she was
appointed as the US Secretary of State by President Barack
Obama.

Looking forward to working with Shankar, Cornyn hoped
that the US President will not lose sight of the tremendous
importance of bolstering US ties with India, even it is clear
the Obama Administration considers the US-China relationship
to be a highly important one.

"Robust cooperation between our two nations - the United
States, the oldest democracy in the world, and India, the
largest one - will take on increasing importance in the
decades ahead. I believe India can and should serve as a
strong counter-balance to China's growing economic and
military power in the region," he said.

"It is clear that the US and India share a commitment to
the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy, and the rule
of law, and I remain committed to further strengthening this
friendship," Cornyn said.

The decision of Senate India Caucus to hold the rare
reception for Shankar has been welcomed by the Indian-American
community.

"The reception shows the growing friendship between US
and India," said Ashok Mago, chairman, US India Forum.

It will give an opportunity to Ambassador Shankar to meet
a number of Senators on that day and build relationship with
Senators, he said adding that this is for the first time that
the Caucus is holding a reception for an Indian Ambassador in
Washington.

"This would also be an opportunity for everyone to meet
with Senator Dodd, who took over as its Co-Chair from Hillary
Clinton," Mago said, adding the Indian-Americans welcome the
new Co chair, who has always shown a strong friendship for
India and the community. PTI LKJ
AM
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