WASHINGTON DC (TIP): Rep. Joe Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and former co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, announced, January 22 that he will travel with President Barack Obama aboard Air Force One to India on Saturday. The delegation will hold a series of meetings, including participating in the country’s Republic Day celebration, which marks the enactment of India’s constitution.

“The principles of India’s democratic constitution serve as a shining example for the world, and what better time for the President of the United States to make this historic visit than to join India in celebrating its Republic Day,” said Rep. Crowley. “It is an honor to join President Obama on this trip and I look forward to robust discussions on how we can open the next chapter in U.S.-India relations. I strongly believe that the United States-Indian relationship should and will serve as a key building block of U.S. foreign policy in the decades ahead. Working together, the United States and India can be a transformational force in meeting global challenges.”

Crowley will depart on Saturday with President Obama to Delhi, India, where the delegation will attend Republic Day events as well as meet with Indian officials to discuss strengthening and expanding the U.S.-India strategic partnership.

Crowley, who served as co-chair of the India Caucus in the 112th and 113thCongresses, is a recognized leader on Indian issues in the House of Representatives. Formed in 1993, the India Caucus is a bipartisan group of members that is dedicated to championing strong ties between the U.S. and India and supporting the Indian-American community.

During his term, Crowley has helped grow the India Caucus to become one of the largest caucuses in the House and initiated several key events, including the first-ever Congressional Diwali celebration in 2013.

Crowley also led the Democratic whip effort as part of the Congressional push to secure the enactment of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, a landmark agreement that brought U.S.-India relations into the century after decades of distance during the Cold War. A recognized leader in Congress on issues related to the Hindu and Sikh-American communities, Crowley spearheaded a multi-year, successful effort to convince the federal government to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans, an important issue brought to the national spotlight by the massacre of Sikhs worshipping at a temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He is also the leading voice calling for an end to the presumptive ban on Sikhs serving in the U.S. military.

Congressman Crowley is the nine-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.