India-US turning into 2016 with ambitious agenda: says US ambassador

Washington: US Ambassador to India Richard Verma has said in statement they are turning into 2016 with optimism including an ambitious agenda for the future. "While we are proud of our accomplishments, we can do any work much and more together for future," he said in a review of India-US relations. "Building upon decades of hard work between our both nations -- and millions of people to people ties -- we have had a transformative year in US-India relations, further broadening and deepening our partnership in so many areas," Verma said. "It was also a year of firsts and many high points," said the first US ambassador in New Delhi. US President Barack Obama was the first US president to be the chief guest for India ' s Republic Day ceremonies in January, noted Verma listing several other firsts. These included establishing secure lines between Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and their National Security Advisors "so that important, time sensitive issues could be tackled directly by our leaders".