U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer Friday sought to downplay a ban clamped by the state of Ohio on offshore outsourcing of government business, saying it may not have much effect on the Indian IT industry.
"It is yet to see if it will have impact, similar actions from certain other states in the US -- passing resolutions banning outsourcing in 2005 -- did not affect Indian industry," Roemer said while talking to the media, before volunteering service at an NDMC school in the national capital.
He said relations between India and US are too strong to be affected by such issues.
"We are making considerable progress. India has moved from 21st largest trading partner to the 14th largest trading partner (of US) over the last five or six years. That is the real progress in this relationship. Regional cooperation against terror, against groups like Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e- Taiba, the nuclear deal, are positive things and issues like Ohio's ban cannot disturb it," Roemer said.
India has conveyed its "serious concern" to the US over Ohio’s ban clamped last month and a hike in US visa fees for professionals.