Ambassador Nirupama Rao met Senator Dianne Feinstein from California on April 23, 2012 at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.  Senator Feinstein is among the senior-most leaders in the United States Senate and is presently the Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. She also serves on a number of other Senate Committees, including Appropriations, Judiciary, and Rules and Administration committees.  Senator Feinstein is a member of the Senate India Caucus.

During the meeting, Senator Feinstein welcomed Ambassador Rao to Washington and spoke of her confidence in the future of India-U.S. relations.  Ambassador Rao expressed appreciation for the Senator’s contributions to deepening the India-U.S. partnership. She noted the recent developments in bilateral relations, and the shared values and interests of the two countries. Ambassador Rao described the United States as a key partner in India’s quest for socio-economic development and inclusive growth, and highlighted sectors like education and health as important pillars of this partnership.  Senator Feinstein emphasized the advantages inherent in India’s democratic traditions and civilizational culture, and noted that India has “unlimited potential”.

 Views were also exchanged on the regional situation, including the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in East Asia.  It was agreed that the emergence of an open, balanced and inclusive architecture in the Asia-Pacific region was in the interest of both India and the U.S.

Senator Feinstein conveyed her interest in visiting India, and meeting old friends there.  She recalled her visit to the country in 1978, and fondly remembered a meeting with the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi in the Philippines during the 1970s.

Senator Feinstein invited Ambassador Rao to visit California, and conveyed her interest in continuing to remain in touch with Ambassador Rao.

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