A total of 2.26 lakh visas were issued last year, up from 1.25 lakh in 2006. "The government-to-government contacts are important but people-to-people contacts by non-stage actors are more important for the relationship," Owen said while delivering the Lincon Memorial Lecture organised by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
"The Indo-US relationship has come a long way from what it used to be in the Cold War era," he said. The turning point in bilateral ties was former US President Bill Clinton's visit to India.
Owen said many experts were against the visit after India conducted nuclear tests. Still, Clinton was of the view that India will be an important global force in coming years.
"Now, India is considered to be a strategic partner by the United States," said Owen. Apart from the Indo-US nuclear deal, the two countries have reached an open skies agreement. Both sides are also engaged in a agriculture knowledge initative, a space cooperation programme and military cooperation," he said.