Yesterday, Senator Warner announced that he will join Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) as a co-chair of the Senate India Caucus in January. Senator Warner will take the place of Senator Chris Dodd, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“Building upon our strong relationship with India makes smart strategic sense for our nation and good economic sense for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to strengthen this important relationship,” Sen. Warner said.

“In 2005, I was the first U.S. governor to lead a trade delegation to India, and I developed a lot of respect for India’s fast-growing and vibrant economy. I also have worked closely for many years with leading entrepreneurs in the Indian-American IT community, so I have a deep appreciation for India’s prominent role in Virginia’s future economic success.”

The Senate India Caucus is a bipartisan coalition that brings national attention to domestic and international issues that affect our economies and security.

Virginia exports to India in 2009 increased 50% to a combined $284 million, led by coal ($139 million), paper and paperboard products (almost $22 million) and electrical and industrial machinery (combined $37 million), according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Click here to read the full press release