US, India are natural partners: US Congressman

Washington, May 18: The South Asian region is a ''focal point'' for major US policy initiatives from expanded commerce, energy cooperation, defence relations, education, health, as well as collaboration on science and technology, according to Congressman Jim Leach.

In an opening statement at a May 17 hearing, Mr leach, the Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific said that now is ''an extraordinary time of opportunity'' for the United States in South Asia. The United States must maintain constructive relations with both India and Pakistan, Mr Leach said.

''There is virtually no dissent in Washington from the precept that a rising India and the United States are natural partners with compelling incentives over time to cooperate closely on a host of regional and global concerns,'' he said.

Mr Leach also commented on recent developments in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

UNI