Deepening ties with India top on agenda: Hillary

US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has said that deepening relations with India would be top on her agenda if elected to the top post.

"Together, we have a lot of work to do," Clinton said amidst cheers at an Indian-American fund-raiser dinner with slogans like "American Ready For Change" and "Hillary Ready to Lead" forming the backdrop. An estimated $2.5 million was collected during the dinner.

"Deepening and strengthening" of US relations with India, one of the world's oldest and largest democracies in the world, would be top of the agenda if she is elected US President, Hillary said in her 15-minute speech.

Without directly referring to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal now being negotiated between the two countries, she promised to ensure that neither the United States nor its friends remain dependent on the vagaries of foreign oil.

All in praise for the Indian-Americans contribution to the US, Clinton made a special reference to the contribution being made by Indian-American medical professionals in the country's medical system - a remark which attracted cheers from the audience in which a number of doctors were present.

Clinton, who did not mention about rival Barack Obama's campaign criticising her ties with Indian-Americans, also said she valued the contribution made by the community to her campaign not only in financial terms but also in voluntary work they were doing for her campaign.

She also nostalgically spoke of her visit to India referring especially to the beauty of Taj Mahal and praised the micro-credit scheme which, she said, is empowering poor women and helping to uplift them. (PTI)