Indo-US ties should not be taken for granted: US lawmaker

WASHINGTON: An influential Republican lawmaker has cautioned the Obama Administration against taking Indo-US partnership for granted and called for more commitment from both sides.

"In a visit to India, Prime Minister Singh told me that the gains made in US-India relations were 'irreversible'. I am proud to have helped bring this relationship to the forefront, managing the historic civil nuclear agreement, but this is not a partnership the Administration can take for granted," Congressman Ed Royce said.

Royce's statement came after the conclusion of the third summit meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama at the White House.

"We need a deeper commitment to India. India needs to work harder too," Royce said.

Royce, a former Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, is currently chairman of the powerful House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

"Since the historic 2006 US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, we've been waiting for the next big-ticket item. Unfortunately, once again, this Administration has failed to deliver," Royce said.