Press Release

For Immediate Release
August 12, 2010

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, August 11, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx), an active member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, joined the Ambassador of India to the United States, Meera Shankar, for a meeting and lunch with the Jackson Heights Indian Merchant Association and members of the Indian-American community. The event was held in honor of the 63rd anniversary of India’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 15. The group discussed the strong relationship between the United States and India, as well as the growing and vibrant Indian-American population in the United States.

“The links that bond the U.S. and India are stronger than ever and I am honored to join Ambassador Shankar in Queens for an important discussion on how we can continue to strengthen our alliance,” said Congressman Crowley. “Queens truly is the heart of the Indian-American community in New York and around the country. As relations between our two countries continue to grow, so does the role played by this community.”

“I am pleased to join Congressman Crowley and the Indian-American community in Queens in a celebration of India’s Independence Day and the strong partnership between our two nations and people,” said Ambassador Shankar. “The United States is a very important partner to India and we can meet global challenges together.”

Meera Shanker became India’s Ambassador to the United States in April 2009, presenting her credentials to President Obama in May 2009. Ambassador Shankar is one of India’s most skilled and effective diplomats. She previously held posts in the Prime Minister’s office and the Indian Embassy in Washington, as well as oversaw India’s relations with the United Nations and the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation. Before coming to the United States, Ambassador Shanker served as India’s Ambassador to Germany.

Several Ambassadors have recently joined Congressman Crowley to meet residents of New York’s 7th Congressional District in Queens and the Bronx. Earlier this year, Crowley was joined by the Dominican Republic Ambassador in Queens, the Ambassador and former Prime Minister of Korea in the Bronx, and previously, Crowley hosted Ambassadors from Ukraine, Colombia and France in New York’s 7th Congressional District.

Congressman Crowley, a six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, represents New York’s 7th Congressional district (Queens, the Bronx), which is one of the most ethnically diverse districts in the United States. The Congressman serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which oversees U.S. international relations. 

###