External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, right, at a press conference at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on June 12. At left is Acting Ambassador Rakesh Sood. PHOTO RIGHT, Singh laying a wreath at the foot of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue outside the embassy, before his press conference. (Photos: Rajan Devadas)

Washington : External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh had a chance meeting with prospective Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry at the funeral service here of former President Ronald Regan.

The two exchanged pleasantries at their brief meeting on June 11 in the presence of several others.

Singh referred to his encounter with Kerry when asked about the prospects of India-U.S. relations in case there was a change of guard at the White House. He said he was not worried on this count. “I am happy to see that our relations now enjoy bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress as well,” he noted.

In this context, he referred to the formation here of the Senate Caucus on India. “This augers well for the U.S.-India relationship,” he said, noting: “The House (of Representatives) Caucus on India now enjoys a record membership.”