Ambassador Nirupama Rao met Congressman Adam Smith on January 18 at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.  Congressman Smith, who represents the state of Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives,  is the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee and is known for his keen interest in foreign and security policy issues.  He is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

Ambassador Rao and Congressman Smith exchanged views on India-U.S. bilateral relations and took positive note of the growing momentum of cooperation across a wide range of issues, built upon shared values and convergent interests.  Congressman Smith described India as a critical partner for the U.S. and welcomed the deepening India-U.S. strategic partnership.

Both Congressman Smith and Ambassador Rao also attributed the recent  positive developments in the bilateral  India-US relationship to the contribution of a dynamic Indian American community. Congressman Smith warmly welcomed India's interest in establishing a Consulate General in Seattle.

 The discussions also touched upon the situation in South Asia,  and the common interests of India and U.S. in the long-term peace, security and development of Afghanistan. Ambassador Rao referred to India’s traditional ties with Afghanistan, which is now a strategic partnership. She informed the Congressman about India's robust development assistance to Afghanistan and its vision for an independent, sovereign, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan.

Ambassador Rao invited Congressman Smith to visit India. Congressman Smith accepted the invitation, and said that he would be in touch with the Ambassador to explore a mutually convenient time for the visit.