By Arun Kumar

Washington, Oct 29 (IANS): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has asked Indian Americans to use their connections to India to tackle tough challenges from improving global health to empowering people to improving their own lives.

"Governments alone cannot solve any of these problems. We need your ideas, and we need help from people like you," she said in video remarks to a "People-to-People Conference" to highlight the crucial role of Indian Americans in the ever-strengthening bilateral relationship ahead of President Barack Obama's India visit.

"That's why the connections you're forming today are so important," she said at the conference organised by the State Department n cooperation with the Indian American Leadership Council and the American India Foundation Thursday.

"Your leadership across the United States - along with your connection to communities in India - gives you insights that can benefit all of us," Clinton said.

In a keynote address, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, the highest ranking Indian American, spoke about how the community can help with issues related to the US-India Strategic Dialogue: renewable energy, global health, education and economic empowerment.

Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar said the conference is a testimony to the growing presence of the Indian American community in the US and the strong influence they bring to bear in strengthening India-US relations.

Speaking about the growing economic relations between the two countries, she outlined the future prospects for engagement of the community through the various schemes that the governments are working on.