India Caucus co-chair as head of foreign relations panel?

There is lobbying from some quarters to name Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is co-chair of the India Caucus, as chair of the important Foreign Relations Committee.

Representative Ros-Lehtinen (Republican from Florida) took over as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest caucus of its kind, earlier this year from Republican Joe Wilson (South Carolina).

Ros-Lehtinen had lauded India's achievements and said she had a pro-active plan for the caucus that would encourage further strengthening of the US-India bilateral relationship.

She also expressed support for India's inclusion as a permanent member the United Nation's Security Council.

The House International Relations Committee is currently headed by senior Representative Henry Hyde (Republican from Illinois) who is said to be retiring.

On Wednesday the organisations of Greek-Americans sent out a release calling for a change of leadership in the committee endorsing Ros-Lehtinen.

"In the event that Chairman Hyde, who has been a good friend of our community, chooses to step down as chairman before his term expires, we would strongly support Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen as the next Chair of the International Relations Committee," the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) announced.

Ros-Lehtinen is currently chair of the Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia in the International Relations Committee.