The Indian ambassador to the U.S. will visit campus Tuesday and lecture on India and U.S. relations.

Nirupama Rao,  ambassador to the United States, will deliver a lecture titled “United States and India: How Far Have We Come, What Lies Ahead?” at 7:30 p.m. in the Dolezal Auditorium of Curtiss Hall.

“The lecture series tries to bring speakers on international political economy as it affects the U.S. and Iowa,” said James McCormick, chairman of the political science department. “We are extra-

ordinarily privileged to have the Indian ambassador visit us for the lecture.” 

He added the Indian ambassador’s visit was significant in context of India’s economic growth and G20 membership.

According to ISU News Service, Rao was a fellow at the Center for International Affairs, now the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, at Harvard University. She was also a distinguished international executive-in-residence at the University of Maryland at College Park.

She previously has served as India’s foreign secretary, the highest office in the Indian Foreign Service. She also has served as an ambassador in China, Peru, Bolivia and Sri Lanka. The lecture will focus on U.S.and India relations in the past and the way forward for the world’s two largest democracies.

Richard Mansbach, professor of politic science, said that historically both the countries have been “distant and aloof.”

A number of factors are responsible for this, including India’s membership in the Non-Aligned Movement, the United States’ alliance with Pakistan and India’s nuclear capability.

“Relations between India and the U.S. have warmed significantly. Several common interests have emerged between the two countries … including fighting terrorism, trade and concern with China,” Mansbach said.

He added that in the future, relations will depend on whether China is perceived as aggressive in its policies as it has in the past.

According to ISU News Service, the Manatt-Phelps Lecture was established by Charles and Kathleen Manatt and Tom and Elizabeth Phelps in 2002.

It has previously featured ambassadors from France, Germany, Japan, Spain  and Sweden. Many senators have also spoken at the lecture.

The event is co-sponsored by the Office of the President, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the department of political science, World Affairs Series and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by the Government of the Student Body.

McCormick said he expects a large turnout from the local and international community.

The lecture is free and open to the public.