Eliot Engel, the Congressman from New York, argued that India should be an integral part of America's Asia policy.
Asserting that India is a potential "counterweight" to China's growing regional influence in Asia, a top US lawmaker has urged the Obama Administration to strengthen its ties with New Delhi.
"From a strategic perspective India is a potential counterweight to China's growing regional influence in Asia. They've become increasingly vocal on issues like freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean region," Congressman Eliot Engel said during a Congressional hearing yesterday.
Speaking during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Challenges and Opportunities in Asia, the Congressman from New York argued that the world's largest democracy, India, should be an integral part of America's Asia policy.
"As the world's third largest economy, India has the potential to become a major economic player in East Asia, and is already playing a constructive role in maritime issues," he said.
"It's the third largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity and is the largest democracy in the Asia region," he said.
"The US-India relationship is important, it's growing, in particular on the defense side, and Prime Minister Modi will be coming to Washington again in a couple of months to meet with President Obama," Mr Engel said.