India an important strategic partner of US: Ami Bera

California-based physician Ami Bera, who created history by becoming only the third Indian-American to get elected to the US House of Representatives, has termed India as an important strategic partner of the US.

"I travelled to India. India is the world's largest democracy, and one of the world's largest economies. It's an important strategic partner to the US and the two countries have a history of collaboration on many regional and global issues," the Congressman-elect said in an interview.

Bera asserted that New Delhi should continue with its strategic partnership with Washington and the country should remain a market destination for US goods and services.

On the state of affairs in his own country and the debate over outsourcing of jobs to countries like India, Bera said lawmakers in Congress must first focus on rebuilding America, restoring economic foundation and sparking development of industries and good jobs that are not easily outsourced.

"Next, we must strengthen our workforce, and eliminate tax loopholes that reward companies for sending jobs overseas. Most critically, we must revamp our trade strategy. We need trade rules that help facilitate moving American products into new markets, creating jobs here. If done correctly, strengthening our trade relationship with India will create jobs here in America," he said.

47-year-old Bera is only the third Indian-American to have been elected to the US House of Representatives after Dalip Singh Saundh in 1950 and Bobby Jindal in 2005.

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