Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has joined the Congressional Pakistan Caucus as said that he would continue to pursue the American objectives of a strong US-India relationship

Washington: Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has joined the Congressional Pakistan Caucus as said that he would continue to pursue the American objectives of a strong US-India relationship and peace and stability in the region.

The two-term Democratic Congressman representing Silicon Valley is the first Indian-American lawmaker to join the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic) and Congressman Jim Banks (Republican).

Both Jackson Lee and Khanna (42) are also members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which is the largest country-specific caucus in the House of Representatives.

Khanna, who in the last two years has made a mark in the House of Representatives on foreign policy and national security issues, joined the Pakistani Caucus after the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to the US last month.

"I am a proud member of the US-India Caucus and have supported legislation condemning the terrorist bombing in Kashmir and promoting stronger defense ties between the US and India," Khanna told PTI.

"At the same time, I believe it's critical to engage all regional players, including India and Pakistan, to stabilize Afghanistan so that the US can withdraw troops. I will continue to pursue the American objectives of a strong US-India relationship and peace and stability in the region," he said in response to a question.

It was in May this year that Lee and Banks announced the formation of Congressional Pakistan Caucus for the current Congress. Lee is a founding member of the Caucus.

The Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Asad M Khan, thanked Khanna for joining the Pakistani Caucus.

"Had a wonderful meeting with Congressman Ro Khanna. We discussed the prime Minister's (Imran Khan) recent visit to the US and ways to promote Pakistan-US relations. Congressman Khanna took keen interest in promoting peace in South Asia. Thanked him for joining the Pakistan Caucus," Asad M Khan wrote on Twitter.