Thespian Dev Anand, left, and Pallone were presented the Indo-American Society annual awards in Mumbai on Jan. 6. (Photo: Courtesy, Indo-American Society)

Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) has said that India is being perceived as a significant country in relation to its geographical and strategic position and due its emergence as a leader in South Asia.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Indo-American Society in Mumbai on Jan. 6, Pallone said the bilateral relations between India and the United States rapidly changed in the areas of defense, security and antiterrorism efforts after Sept. 11, 2001.

The Congressman, who was visiting India with the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce (AICC) delegation, said the Indo-U.S. relations were growing and that India, being a major country, could play a major role in South Asia in the coming years.

He said Pentagon officials were gradually realizing India’s strategic significance in relation to conflict in the Middle East and the military build up in China. Pallone also said that Bush administration had stepped up its activities and had began to see India as an important ally for strategic purposes.

Pallone, along with veteran actor-director-producer Dev Anand, was presented the Indo-American Society Annual awards at the function. The Congressman was also scheduled to visit the headquarters of Ranbaxy Pharmaceutical facilities in New Delhi and the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal to meet victims of the gas disaster.

(Compiled from news dispatches)

Images

PHOTO ABOVE, Congressman Frank Pallone, center, with the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce delegation and some religious leaders of the Swaminarayan sect at Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar, on Jan 8. PHOTO LEFT, Pallone, right, inside the Akshardham Temple. (Photos: Indo-Asian News Service)