Potomac, Maryland – India’s top diplomat in the United States on Saturday (Feb. 16) expressed hope that both the countries can work together to shape a “safer world,” adding that, “time has come to set new rules.”
Saying he was, “very hopeful, very optimistic,” S. Jaishankar, the new Indian Ambassador to the US addressed a select audience of Indian Americans at a reception hosted by the National Council of Asian Indian Associations, urging “more people” to strive, to aspire and run for office.
India and the US have been struggling in recent months to get their diplomatic relations back on track after the controversial arrest and strip-search of Devyani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York, on December 12, after a complaint from her maid, Richard.
Hinting at the difficult times, the Indian Ambassador was all praise for the community as the loyalties towards either countries have never “contradicted,” even though bilateral ties are not always good. Jaishankar highlighted that the community has followed the path “to be good Indians, good Americans” and consequently, be good Indian- Americans.
Jaishankar called for setting, “new goals… ambitious goals for ourselves,” identifying energy and education as the two major sectors where bilateral partnership can be enhanced.
The ambassador looked forward to the US becoming the “leading provider of energy” to India in the next three years, as it would start shipping natural gas to India.
There was a good sprinkle of Maryland state officials of Indian origin and the Maryland Secretary of State Rajan Natarajan, on behalf of Maryland Governor Martin Joseph O’Malley, proclaimed February 15 as “S Jaishankar Day” in recognition of his role in strengthening Indo-US relations.
Other prominent and rich doyens of Indian American community including Pavan K Bezwada, Sambhu Banik, Suresh K Gupta, Benoy Thomas and Har Swarup Singh spoke praising the new ambassador who took office in December as Khobragade case had hit the bilateral relations.
Since his arrival, Indian ambassador Jaishankar is seen working tirelessly to improve and cement the bilateral ties with ongoing meetings with the US lawmakers and other high-ranking Obama administration officials.