Clinton predicts stronger ties with India

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is predicting the relationship between the United States and India "is destined to grow even stronger" in the future.

Clinton says the basis for strong ties between two nations isn't their governments but rather a common history and values, the Press Trust of India reported Friday.

She made the remarks at a State Department event in Washington marking the departure of a cultural delegation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a tour of India by civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King.

The delegation is comprised of several prominent U.S. lawmakers and celebrities such as legendary jazz musician Herbie Hancock. The group will retrace the historic monthlong visit to India that King and his wife took in February 1959.

Clinton is scheduled to leave Sunday on her first foreign trip since becoming secretary of state. The eight-day journey will take her to Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China.