States Adding New Dimension To India-U.S. Ties: Indian Envoy

Washington: A new dimension is being added to the India-U.S. global partnership with growing ties between the states of the two countries, according to the Indian ambassador to the U.S., Nirupama Rao.

Maryland state surrounding the US capital on three sides "has been one of the pioneers in this regard and we admire and are completely supportive of the initiatives you have taken in this regard," she said in an address to the state assembly in Annapolis.

Rao addressed both the chambers of the Maryland General Assembly, the first legislature set up in the United States, predating the Capitol in Washington DC. She also met the Speaker of the House of Delegates, Michael Busch.

State governor Martin O'Malley's six-day visit to India in produced significant results with nearly $60 million in business deals for Maryland companies, Rao recalled.

This, she said citing the governor sent "a strong message to India's top business organizations and companies that Maryland is the gateway to doing business in the U.S."

Turning to the role of the Indian American community "in advancing the progress and well-being of the U.S.", Rao said: "They epitomize strong family values, educational excellence, creativity, innovation, high standards of professionalism, and dedication to your core democratic principles and traditions."

Maryland's three Indian-American lawmakers, "Sam Arora, (House majority leader) Kumar Barve, Rajan Natarajan, and Aruna Miller are all proud Americans who are also proud of their Indian heritage," she said.

"They play a very important role in bringing our two countries together. They are the bridge-builders of friendship between India and Maryland particularly."

Rao hoped that in the future "Maryland will build stronger and stronger ties with states in India, that are good for businesses in both our countries, in manufacturing, in services, in education, in research and technological innovation.

"That future is what we must aspire to. That promise is what we must see fulfilled" added the ambassador.

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