House Foreign Affairs Committee, India Caucus host welcome reception for the Indian ambassador.
AB Wire
WASHINGTON, DC: Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun K. Singh said he “looks forward to working with†the members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans to “build on the momentum†India-US relations gained in the past year.
The ambassador, who assumed charge as India’s top diplomat in the United States on April 30, was speaking at a welcome reception hosted for him by the House Committee and the Caucus on Capitol Hill on Wednesday evening.
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Among those in attendance were four congressmen who hosted the event: Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Elliot Engel (D-NY) and co-chairs of the Caucus George Holding (R-NC) and Ami Bera (D-CA).
Thanking the congressmen for hosting the reception, Singh lauded their leadership at the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Caucus. He said that the bipartisan support India-US relations receives in Congress is a source of strength for the strategic partnership, which now spans nearly all dimensions of human endeavor. The ambassador also thanked the contributions of the members of the Caucus in bringing the people and governments of the two countries closer.
The congressmen were effusive in their praise of Singh – who had previously served at the embassy in Washington as the Deputy Chief of Mission – for his contributions in promoting the bilateral ties.
Royce welcomed the envoy back to Washington and reiterated his commitment to promoting the US-India relations.
Engel said the United States and India are “natural partners†with common strategic and geo-political outlook. Holding termed the relationship as the founding relationship of 21st century and called for boosting economic ties. Bera, the lone Indian American member of Congress, pointed to the non-partisan nature of the relationship.
The event, held at the Rayburn House Office Building, was attended by a number of members of Congress, congressional staffers, members of the foreign policy community and prominent Indian Americans.
Singh, who presented his credentials to President Barack Obama on May 18, has received a number of welcome receptions in Washington since assuming charge in late April. The US-India Business Council hosted a reception for him on May 6. The local Indian American community is scheduled to host a welcome event for the ambassador on June 14.