New Delhi:
Praising India for its diversity, outgoing US ambassador Timothy Roemer at a glittering farewell said the two years he and his family spent in the country were a "rewarding and beautiful" experience, during which the relationship between New Delhi and Washington attained new highs.
"This has been a very, very beautiful and rewarding experience for my family... India brings everything at you, love, warmth, challenges, contrast... We have seen it from all perspectives," Roemer said in his short speech at the farewell function in a luxury hotel.
For the event held in his honour, the Maurya Sheraton Kamal Mahal looked like a fort palace of Rajasthan. Folk musicians from the state serenaded the guests as colourfully turbaned waiters walked through offering cocktails and snacks to the invited guests.
They included members of the diplomatic community, US expatriates in Delhi. Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel was the only visible face from the council of Indian ministers.
Roemer, 54, rather connected well with the audience and greeted everybody with "
namaste,
namaskar and
salaam alykum".
He said the India-US relationship has entered a new phase in recent years and moved beyond security ties to strategic partnership.
"We have now built up the global partnership in a way which not only encompasses security and counter terrorism, but we also have a shared strategic vision and the outcome in Afghanistan," he said.
The envoy said the India-US ties cover every aspect that "encourages peace and liberty in the world".
He talked about how President Barack Obama wanted him to connect with an average Indian and shake a billion hands.
"Obama said you should connect with average Indian and make sure
aam aadmi knows that the US cares for India."
Accompanied by his wife Sally and four kids, Roemer entered the Kamal Mahal amid warm welcome and musicians played "Beautiful America and
Vande Mataram".
A leaflet about the programme for the evening was distributed that included a photograph of the Roemers riding a beautifully decked horse chariot.
The photograph was clicked Monday outside Roosevelt House, the official residence of the US ambassador in New Delhi.
A photo exhibition was also laid out the venue, showcasing important events in the India-US ties during Roemer's tenure.
Roemer was picked by Obama for the post of Indian ambassador in May 2009 and and he will be relinquishing the charge in July.