WASHINGTON, July 26: As many as 55 members of the United States Congress have signed a letter urging President Bill Clinton to visit New Delhi next month during the 50th anniversary of India's independence.

At the same time, they also reminded the President that Indo-US relations at times have been strained, ``often unnecessarily so.''

Co-chairman of the Caucus for India and Indian Americans Frank Pallone said in a statement: ``I am hopeful that the President will make a trip to India in the next few months.'' ``I know the President considers India's independence to be an important milestone in terms of the promotion of democracy in south Asia and throughout the world. This letter shows the support of members of Congress from both parties for Clinton to make the historic trip,'' he added.

Congressmen in their letter said: ``The US and India, the world's largest democracies, have many areas of common interest that have not been developed to the degree they could be. The end of the cold war, combined with the opening of the Indian economy, force us to significantly reassess our strategies and priorities with regard to Asia.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.