Indian Ambassador to United States, Arun K Singh said that 3.5 million Indian-Americans play an important role in enhancing the relations between India and United States and added that people-to-people contact is a key behind the strong bilateral relationship.

He was speaking in front of the members of Indian-American community in Cleveland and those attending Republican National Convention at Cleveland at a reception hosted in his honor. He said, “I think, what gives a real, solid and fundamental basis to the (India-US) relationship is the people-to-people dimension of the relationship.”

Among the 3.5 billion Indian-Americans widely distributed throughout the country, Around 110,000 are doctors and according to latest statistics every seventh patient in US is examined by the Indian-American doctor, he said.

He added that Indian-Americans are helping the US economy by generating $13 billion as they manage and own 40% hotel rooms in the United States.

Every year 140,000 Indian students come to the US for higher studies bringing $4.5 billion to the US economy, he further said.

The reception was headed by Dr. Sampat Shivangi, an eminent Republican leader from Missisippi.

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Dr. Sampat Shivangi said, “This is an effort to honour the Indian Ambassador and establish relationship between the Indian Government and the community.”

Singh said, “I believe all of you will have an important role to play in contributing to this. All of you in a sense are permanent Ambassadors here. You have an understanding of the US. You have an understanding of India and Indian society. So based on this understanding and the network that you have you will be in a position to take forward this relationship in different areas.”

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By Prajakt K.