Washington, Dec 3 (IANS): Acknowledging the broad bipartisan support enjoyed by India-US relations on Capitol Hill, key US lawmakers and officials alike have vowed to seize the "moment of great opportunity."

Expression of support for deepening the strategic ties between the world's oldest and largest democracies came at a reception by House India caucus Thursday to welcome the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao.

"This is a maturing relationship that would continue to grow and mature," Democrat co-chair of the caucus Joseph Crowley said. His Republican counterpart Ed Royce agreed, "The potential for much more is there. Both nations need to work towards raising the bar."

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said India and the United States have "reached a moment of great opportunity."

The two nations together "can shape for the better of not only the future of our own societies but of the entire international community and the new century unfolding before us," he said.

The House India Caucus has been a tremendous source of strength in promoting India-US relations for almost two decades now, Rao said noting "the bipartisan support that the caucus showcases speaks of the enduring strength of our ties."

"Today, it is indeed an exciting time in India-US relations when we have a virtually limitless horizon of what we can do together," she said.