Indian PM Modi meets US Congressional delegation in Delhi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met with a bipartisan United States Congressional delegation led by Congressman Michael McCaul, which is currently on a visit to India.

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is part of the delegation that called on PM Modi today.

The delegation had yesterday met with the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamshala.

US Representatives - Gregory Meeks, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Ami Bera and Jim McGovern are the other members of the visiting delegation.

The bipartisan delegation also met with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar along with Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Wednesday night.

Jaishankar appreciated their "strong and continued" support for the strategic partnership between India and the US.

The US Congressional delegation had arrived in India on Tuesday and was received by officials of the Central Tibetan Administration at Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Airport.

Upon arrival, the US lawmakers headed to Dharamshala to meet Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

Representative McCaul presented Dalai Lama with a framed copy of 'The Resolve Tibet Act', a bipartisan bill passed by the US Congress to enhance US support for Tibet.

Last week, the US Congress passed the bill urging Beijing to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to peacefully resolve their dispute over the status and governance of Tibet.

Before meeting the Dalai Lama, the US delegates attended a public felicitation programme at the main Tibetan temple. Children performed and displayed Tibetan culture at the felicitation ceremony in the courtyard of the Tsuglagkhang Complex in Dharamshala.

The Dalai Lama presented Buddha Statue to Pelosi at the end of the meeting with the US Congressional delegation, the office of the Dalai Lama said.

(ANI)