02 May 2004	Sunday	11 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

WASHINGTON, May 1: A power-packed Indian caucus was officially launched at the US Senate on Thursday, making it even more difficult for Pakistan to push its case on the Capitol Hill.

Sen Hillary Clinton, in her address to the caucus, recalled her fond memories of trips to India as America's first lady and vowed to help promote Indian interests in the US legislature.

"It is imperative that the Unites States do everything possible to reach out to India. This caucus is dedicated to expanding areas of agreement with India and engaging in a candid dialogue of differences," she said.

Sen John Cornyn stressed the importance of the caucus to strengthening the ties.

"This bipartisan caucus will encourage further advances between the US and India, one of our greatest allies and a nation that shares the deepest convictions of democratic freedom," he said.

Ms Clinton, a Democrat, and Mr Cornyn, a Republican, are the co-chairs of the bipartisan caucus. The caucus already has 32 members, including Senate majority Leader Tom Daschle.