‘India an anchor of stability’

Washington, March 1: Ted Poe, an influential Republican member of the US House of Representatives, has expressed confidence in the future of the India-US strategic partnership, underscoring the shared values and interests of the two countries.

The US looked upon India as an anchor of stability in the region and as an important partner in promoting regional and global peace, security and development, he told the Indian ambassador to US, Nirupama Rao, during a meeting Thursday at Capitol Hill, according to a media release from the Indian Embassy.

Poe, who chairs terrorism, non-proliferation and trade subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee besides serving several other House panels, discussed recent positive developments in India-US relations, including cooperation in counter-terrorism.

The lawmaker from Texas serving his 5th term in the US House fondly recalled his visit to India in September 2012, which he described as "very educational. "

He agreed with Rao that sectors like education, health and energy had emerged as important pillars of this multi-faceted partnership, the embassy release said.

Rao noted that governors of a number of US states were now visiting India to explore new opportunities for closer cooperation, reflecting the widening base and the depth of the India-US partnership.

They also exchanged views on the regional situation in South Asia.