In a first, a Congressional delegation from the United States, led by Reps. Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, the co-chairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, will attend the 77th Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi on August 15. The day marks India's independence from the British rule 76 years ago.

Reps. Deborah Ross, Kat Cammack, Shri Thanedar and Jasmine Crockett along with Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans members Reps. Rich McCormick and Ed Case will be part of the delegation, an official statement noted.

As per the statement, the delegation will attend the celebrations at Red Fort where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on August 15. They will also visit the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi in the capital before continuing their visit to Mumbai and Hyderabad where they will meet business and government leaders.

Freedom fighter Amarnath Vidyalankar . Image - Wikipedia

A news release from Khanna's office said the visit holds significance for him as he shares a deep connection with India’s independence. His grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar was involved in the freedom struggle, worked with Mahatma Gandhi and Lala Lajpat Rai and spent many years in jail.

Commenting on the upcoming visit to India, Khanna tweeted, “I am honoured and humbled to lead the first delegation on Indian Independence Day at the Red Fort to celebrate a moment that my grandfather sacrificed so much of his life for. It’s history coming full circle for me.”

In a joint statement the co-chairs said, “As co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, we are proud to lead a bipartisan delegation to India. Both of us believe that the U.S. India relationship will be a defining one of the 21st century.​”

“India is a key partner in ensuring multipolarity in Asia and the denial of China as a hegemon. We must continue to strive to make progress and build our partnership based on our shared founding values of democracy, freedom of the press and assembly, and human rights. This delegation is a historic opportunity to drive further collaboration and advance shared aims,” they added.