Washnigton:
There's much that's being said about US President Barack Obama's visit to India post the US mid-term elections - many believe the focus may shift. However, the Republican sweep may have improved the prospect of Indo-US relations in the next two years, as influential Republican lawmakers and well-known friends of India will now head key Congressional committees in the House of Representatives.
Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who set the ball rolling by introducing the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal in the house, will replace the Democratic Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman.
Berman is well known in India for introducing the killer amendments to the deal.
"I believe that the US and India can work together to make this relationship stronger, bigger and better," said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R), Incoming Chair, and House Foreign Affairs Committee.
What's more, Ed Royce, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus is all set to chair the House sub-committee on terrorism, non-proliferation and trade.
A key-advocate of Indo-US relationship, Royce has advice for Obama before his India trip - don't take the Indo-US relationship for granted.
Both Royce and Ros-Lehtinen are highly critical of the Pakistan's tepid response to the fight against terror.
"We look forward to working with the new members of Congress, many of them are well known old friends of India who have been associated with the Indian Caucus in the congress," said Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary.