People-to-people ties provide strong connect between US and India: Juster

KOLKATA, Oct 13: Affirming that the US has deep admiration for India's history and rich culture, US Ambassador Kenneth Juster said people to people ties have provided a strong connect between the two countries.

"One of the key elements of the US-India relationship is our extensive people to people ties. These ties really form a foundation of our relationship and provide a very strong connection between our two countries," Juster said inaugurating a community Durga puja marquee in the posh satellite township of Salt Lake here.

Refering to Benjamin Joy, who was in 1792 appointed the first American Consul to Kolkata - then the capital of India - Juster said since that time the US has "deeply admired India's history and rich culture.

"I have always heard that Durga Puja is the grandest and most spectacular event of the year for Bengalis, looking around I now see that myself. I cannot imagine a better place to celebrate this rich Bengali tradition than in Kolkata, the epicentre of Durga Puja".

Juster said that there are many Durga Puja celebrations in cities throughout the United States whether it is New York or Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and many more. - IANS