Mumbai, Nov 4 (IANS): The US will join as a 'partner country' for the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat early next year, it was announced here Tuesday.

The US accepted an invitation from Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, and it will be the first time that the country will enter the event - to be be held Jan 11-13 - as a partner country.

"Developing greater trade and investment ties is a top priority for our two countries. US commercial links with Gujarat run deep as reflected by the number of American firms with operations in the state and the presence of a US commercial office in Ahmedabad since 1997," said US Consul General in Mumbai Tom Vajda.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with US President Barack Obama in the US, the two leaders had committed to facilitate increased trade between the countries.

They also recognised that US and Indian businesses have a critical role to play in sustainable, inclusive and job-led growth and development.

The US hopes that being a partner country at Vibrant Gujarat will help create new opportunities to bolster business and investment ties and open a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.