Indo-US relations are strong: Arun K Singh

Washington: Asserting that the Indo-US ties are strong, Indian Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh has said that education sector is the area where bilateral relationship must get stronger.

Addressing a gathering of students at Wright State University in Ohio yesterday, Singh said that relations between India and the US are strong and getting stronger.

"The area where relations must get stronger is in education. Your presence here is a part of that," he said.

"In India, 800 million people are under the age of 35. As the global population ages, this Indian population will be able to provide the world with a significant proportion of technically trained workers," Singh said.

But to benefit from this "demographic dividend," it is essential to educate this group, he said, according to a statement issued by the Wright State University.

"Officials want to increase the number of people in India who have access to higher education from 18 percent to 30 percent by building more universities and increasing partnerships with foreign institutions," he said.

There are currently 806 Indian students enrolled at the university, making up 43 per cent of the school's international student population.

There are also 54 faculty and staff members who hail from India, the university said.

As a token of Wright State's appreciation for his visit, Singh was presented with a framed photo of the Wright brothers and one of their airplanes.