The India-US Forum of Parliamentarians (IUFP)has been formed to foster closer relations between India and the United States, the world's largest democracies. Constituted along the lines of the 'India Caucus' in the U.S. Congress, the IUFP involves Indian Parliamentarians from various political parties from both Houses of Parliament - the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

In recent years, the relationship has acquired new shape and substance and is being further strengthened by developing profoundly new patterns of collaboration. Both the countries, are today, engaged in diplomatic collaboration, counter terrorism efforts, defense and military-to-military cooperation, intelligence exchange, law enforcement, development assistance and the global environment. They are together exploring the frontier areas of science and technology, developing vaccine against communicable diseases, strengthening mutual capabilities in combating cyber crimes, and discussing ways to deal with transnational threats and proliferation of weapons of mass destructions. Information technology and the new knowledge economy are increasingly defining the story of their bilateral partnership.

Also, in the wake of the far - reaching and dramatic events such as the recent US military campaign in Iraq and the earlier military campaign in Afghanistan, the evolving Indo-American relationship is being further re-examined and redefined.

The Forum, formed at a very opportune time when the Indo-US relations are undergoing such significant transformation, acts as a bridge and helps further consolidate & promote the relationship between the two countries and in doing so, vigorously protects India's interests. The Forum also focuses on explosive issues such as terrorism of which India has been a victim for the past twenty years.

Besides examining issues from a bilateral focus such as terrorism, national security, nuclear nonproliferation, drug trafficking and human rights abuse, the Forum's 16 Sub-Committees under the leadership of various M.Ps deal with a wide range of bilateral issues, such as, promoting Trade & Commerce, cooperation in the areas of Information Technology, Immigration, Trade Policy, WTO, Defence, Power and other core sectors.

The Forum was formally launched on 27th March 2002 by the former External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh. Also present on the occasion were Co-chairman of the 'India Caucus' in the US Congress, Jim McDermott, Mr Frank Pallone, Co-founder of the 'India Caucus', and Mrs Najma Heptullah, the former Dy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, amongst others.

Mr. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Human Resource Development is the founding Chairman of the Forum. He was succeeded by Mr. Murli Deora (presently, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas) and Mr. B J Panda (a prominent member of the Biju Janata Dal from Orissa). Currently, the IUFP is Chaired by Congress Spokesman Dr Abhishek M. Singhvi, and Co-chaired by Ms. Shobhana Bhartia (nominated member of the Rajya Sabha).

The IUFP is supported by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).