Warner to co-chair Senate India Caucus

Democratic Senator Mark Warner is set to join Republican Senator John Cornyn as co-chair of the Senate India Caucus in January, succeeding the outgoing Chris Dodd, retiring at the end of the year.

"Building upon our strong relationship with India makes smart strategic sense for our nation and good economic sense for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to strengthen this important relationship," Warner, the Senator from Virginia, said.

"In 2005, I was the first US governor to lead a trade delegation to India, and I developed a lot of respect for India's fast-growing and vibrant economy."

"I also have worked closely for many years with leading entrepreneurs in the Indian-American IT community, so I have a deep appreciation for India's prominent role in Virginia's future economic success," Warner said.

Senate India Caucus is a bipartisan coalition that brings national attention to domestic and international issues that affect our economies and security, a statement issued by the office of Senator Dodd, said.

Formed in 2004 by Senators John Cornyn and Hillary Clinton, it was the first country-focused caucus established in the Senate.

"I have known Senator Warner for many years and I can think of no better person to take on this leadership role, as co-chair of the Senate India Caucus," Dodd said.