'Hillary Clinton recognises India as strategic ally': American lawmaker

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said India and the US have so much in common and Hillary recognises that

New York, Nov 9: Hillary Clinton recognises India as a "strategic ally and an extremely good friend" and Indo-US relations will only strengthen under her presidency as she will work to continue the "positive policies of the Obama administration to grow the bilateral ties, an influential American lawmaker said.

Clinton "recognises India as a strategic ally an extremely good friend. I see that the partnership will only strengthen and be stronger (under a Clinton presidency) and I think she will continue the positive policies of the Obama administration going forward," Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the US Representative for New York's 12th congressional district, told PTI in an interview here as the nation headed to polls to elect its new leader.

Maloney, who has been at the forefront to have a commemorative Diwali stamp issued by the US Postal service, said from the beginning of the Obama administration, Clinton as Secretary of State, has worked closely with India, that has been America's "strategic ally and very good friend."

She said India and the US have so much in common, from its democratic form of government to respect and tolerance for different people and religions.

"India and the US have always been strong trading partners. It is is only befitting that the world's oldest democracy and the largest democracy be such incredibly good friends and strategic allies," she said.

She also underscored the strong bilateral cooperation on issues on security and combating terrorism.

"We are cooperating in exchanging intelligence and working together to combat terrorism. India has been a strategic ally in combating terrorism and I thank it for that," she said.

Maloney expressed confidence of a Clinton victory, saying through her campaign to run for President, the former First Lady has shown that young girls and women can achieve anything. "It is a transformational moment in our history. It is historic," she said adding that she "felt the chills" when she voted for a woman candidate for president.

"Now that we are competing with all countries in a global economy, you cannot win if you dont use the full ability of all of your citizens, including women," she said.

PTI