PENNSYLVANIA: US Senator Bob Casey while visiting Pittsburgh recently assured members of the Pittsburgh Indian community that he would shortly announce his decision to join the India Caucus in the US Congress.

In a brief address to 200 plus Indians and Americans, Casey who is a member of the powerful US Foreign Relation committee, said that he valued India - US friendship a lot as India was the largest democracy in the world and one of the major plans of the US foreign policy was to promote democracies around the world. He further observed that India was also facing significant terrorism problems as did many other countries in the world and that the Indian democratic fabrics needed to be preserved. He pitched for closer US trade relationship with India as well as bilateral mutual beneficial areas of interest between both the countries. He had dinner with leaders of the Indian community and assured to join the Senatorial Indian Caucus.

He did indicate his lack of familiarity with the Indian/US relationship as he just started his first term in the U.S. Senate. However, he did promise to work with the Indian community and learn more about India. Jofy Joseph (an Indian) is on his staff as foreign relation expert.Earlier, Dr Radhu Agrawal welcomed him and Sunil Wadhwani introduced him while Dr Vijay Singh moderated the question and answer session.