Indo-US ties blossom into long-term strategic relationship:Mulford

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) The Indo-US ties have blossomed into a new strategic and long-term relationship and the two countries together could play a very important role in strengthening world peace, US Ambassador to India David C Mulford said today.

''Relations between India and the United States are growing which is extremely positive...,'' Mr Mulford said in an address before inaugurating the new building of the US Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) here.

Mr Mulford who is also the honorary Chairman of the USEFI Board of Directors, said India is now on the road to becoming a world power and together with the US a very, very important mission of improving the condition of the peoples could be achieved.

Admitting that there had been ''ups and downs'' in the relationship in recent years, he said recently, however, these had ''blossomed'' into a new strategic relationship.

Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington on July last year and the recent March 1-3 tour of US President George Bush to India, the Ambassador said the visits were the beginning of a very long-term relationship. based on long-term interests, shared values and a concern for the future.

About the visit of President Bush to Hyderabad during his stay in India, Mr Mulford said the President had interacted with some young entrepreneurs, which was ''very, very interesting.'' The educational exchange between India and the US was growing but the only negative thing was that there were not many American students in India as Indians were in the US. This should improve, he said and added that ''we can get the relationship rolling.'' UNI RB VD DB2036