By Arun Kumar

Washington, Sep 23 (IANS): Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Silicon Valley, 34 US lawmakers, including Ami Bera, the only Indian American in Congress, say it would showcase Indians' contributions to the US technology industry.

In a letter to Modi welcoming him on his second visit to the US and his first visit to the West Coast, Bera, who is Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, and other lawmakers highlighted the value of his Silicon Valley trip.

Modi is visiting California and touring several Silicon Valley companies this week, including Facebook, Google, and Tesla, the letter noted.

"We look forward to your upcoming trip to California, which marks the first time an Indian head of government has visited the Golden State in 33 years," they wrote.

"This trip to Silicon Valley will help showcase the exciting contributions Indians and Indian Americans make to the US technology industry."

It was clear that your last trip to the United States provided the momentum needed to refocus the US-India relationship," the lawmakers wrote.

"We are hopeful that your second visit will lead to the continuation and deepening of the Indian investment into the US economy, as well as the use of US technological knowledge to drive more development in India," they added.