Advancing relationship with India essential for US: Clinton

Washington, Apr 22: Advancing of relationship with India, which is the world's largest democracy and a key ally, is "essential" for the Obama administration, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today.
"I want to say a special word about Asia. You know, advancing our relationship with India, which I know the chairman and the ranking member and others mentioned, is essential," Clinton told the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"It's the world's largest democracy; it's an important ally in so many efforts," the Secretary of State said in her testimony before the committee on the foreign policy initiatives of the Obama Administration.

Earlier in his introductory speech Howard Berman, Chairman of the committee, said he is encouraged by the improving ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Berman, as part of a Congressional delegation, returned from a trip to India and Pakistan yesterday.

"I think I can speak for all of them in saying that we were encouraged by the dramatically improved US ties with India but deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Pakistan," he said. PTI