Nancy Pelosi, Susan Rice to accompany President Obama to India

National Security Advisor Susan Rice, influential business leaders and a host of other lawmakers, including Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, will be travelling with President Barack Obama to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations. Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, Democratic Senator Mark Warner, cabinet members and other lawmakers will also accompany Obama to New Delhi where they will attend Republic Day events and meet with Indian leaders to discuss strengthening and expanding the US-India strategic partnership. [caption id=“attachment_2058445” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Associated Press[/caption] Besides Rice, the official US delegation accompanying Obama on his India visit includes Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzeker, US Trade Representatives Mike Froman and climate change advisor to the president John Podesta. Pritzker will meet with senior Indian officials to discuss the investment climate in India and participate in a meeting focusing on deepening commercial and economic ties between the two countries, the Commerce Department said in a statement. He will also chair a discussion with Indian CEOs interested in increasing their investments in the US. “As the son of Indian immigrants, I am extremely honoured to be a part of this historic trip to India with the President,” Bera said in a statement. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the United States last year was a turning point in relations for our countries, and now this trip will be an important opportunity to continue to move the US-India relationship forward,” he said. Only the third Indian-American to ever serve in Congress, Bera made his first official trip to India in 2013. Senator Warner said, “I am very pleased to represent Virginia, and my colleagues in the Senate’s bipartisan India Caucus, as part of the President’s delegation.” “As two of the world’s largest democracies, and with the incredible Indian-American population that contributes so much to Virginia’s culture and commerce, it is critical for us to continue to deepen and broaden the existing framework of partnership and friendship between the US and India,” he said in a statement. Crowley, who served as co-chair of the India Caucus in the 112th and 113th Congresses, is a recognised leader on Indian issues in the House of Representatives. “It is an honour to join President Obama on this trip and I look forward to robust discussions on how we can open the next chapter in US-India relations,” Crowley said in a statement. PTI