India's Ambassador to the US Arun K. Singh, met the top Democratic lawmakers on July 26, to establish the importance of bilateral ties with India. The reception called "Chai and Chaat", took place during the Republic National Convention, Philadelphia, and included lawmakers of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
The reception was organized for Singh by top Indian-American community leaders who were attending the RNC. With the elections approaching fast, the timing of the meeting may also shed light on the importance the U.S. Democrats, its lawmakers, and Clinton's campaign was placed on strengthening the relationship with India, reported PTI.
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Singh addressed the event and emphasised the importance of the role the Indian-American community plays to reinforce the ties between the two countries. He also addressed a second event, "South Asians for Hillary", and made similar remarks. The Ambassador also attended a diplomatic reception by the American Jewish Committee and addressed it briefly.
Singh met with important figures such as the Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi. He also met with Senator Patrick Leahy, who is also the Ranking Member of Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Appropriation Committee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs.
PTI reported that the Clinton administration also highlighted the importance it would place on India-U.S. ties when the chair of Clinton's campaign and former counsellor to current POTUS Obama, John Podesta, met with the Indian Ambassador.
Arun Singh at "Chai and Chaat" reception with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Image source: Indian Embassy
Singh also interacted with high-ranking Democratic lawmakers Frank Pallone, Nita Lowey and Joe Crowley, who is also the vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus and has previously co-chaired the House India Caucus.
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Ami Bera, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives, is also reported to have had a meeting with Singh. The reception was also attended by Senator Corry Booker, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guards, mentioned PTI.
The Ambassador also met Vermont State Representative Kesha Ram, who is running for state lieutenant governor.
Other attendees included notable politically inclined Indian-Americans Priya Dayananda, Shekhar Narasimhan, Anurag Verma, Sunil Puri, Mahinder Tak, Mini Timmaraju and Deepak Raj.
– prepared by Varsha Gupta of NewsGram. Twitter: @VarshaGupta94
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