Two top US lawmakers have introduced a resolution in the Senate to designate September 30 as the "United States and India Partnership Day", to mark the first ever meeting on that day between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
The resolution was introduced by Senators Mark Warner of the Democratic Party and John Cornyn of the Republican Party, both being the co-chairmen of the Senate India Caucus - the only country specific caucus in the Senate.
Modi is scheduled to visit the US later this month.
Noting that the US will welcome Modi, leader of the largest democracy in the world on September 30, the bipartisan resolution, resolves that the Senate "designates September 30, 2014 as the 'United States and India Partnership Day' recognising the contribution of the United States and India to one another and their relationship that will continue to help define the 21st century" and recognise that the relationship between the two countries is "a special and permanent bond".
More senators are soon expected to co-sponsor the resolution. In a 'Dear Colleague letter' to other Senate colleagues, Warner and Cornyn say the bipartisan resolution expressed the sense of the house that the US-India relationship will continue to help define the 21st century.
"We ask you to consider joining the resolution to welcome Prime Minister Modi to send a strong signal to the United States and India that we stand together as friends to face even the most difficult and pressing issues of our time," Warner and Cornyn said.
Inviting other senators to co-sponsor this resolution designating September 30, 2014 as the 'US India Partnership Day', which will coincide with Modi's first visit to the White House, Warner and Cornyn said this will signify the Senate's commitment to and important role in furthering the US-India bilateral relationship.
