Lucknow, Aug 21 (IANS): US Ambassador to India Richard Verma on Thursday said strengthening of India-US relations will have a lasting and positive boost for global peace, security and prosperity.

On his second day of visit to Uttar Pradesh, the envoy recalled how often he spoke about how the rise of India and the deepening relationship between the two vibrant democracies will have a lasting effect on global peace.

He was interacting with students at the famous Isabella Thoburn College here.

Verma stressed that when women were educated and given power, they take along a large chunk of the society forward.

He also informed the gathering how Indian students account for the second-largest group of foreign students in America and added that over 4,000 students from US were in India to pursue education.

On Wednesday, Verma met Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

He discussed a wide ranging issues with Akhilesh Yadav and deliberated on potential business opportunities in Uttar Pradesh.