Answering critics who have wondered why Washington waited so long for engaging India, he said both sides were waiting for the elections to be over.

The strong showing of the Congress party and return of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the helm and President Barack Obama's support for a 'new invigorated partnership with India' augured well for the new relationship, Blake said.

Both Clinton and Obama see India as a key partner not only in bilateral ties but also as 'one of a few key partners worldwide who will help us shape the 21st century', he said echoing Clinton.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)