Washington, June 18 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton describing India as a force of positive change, pushed for stronger economic and diplomatic ties between the Washington and New Delhi.

"In a world where, lets admit it frankly, the headlines can get depressing, our relationship with India is a good news story and I think its going to get even better," Clinton said in a speech at a summit organized by the US-India Business Council in Washington D.C.

The summit brought together business leaders from the United States and India and focused on bolstering ties between the world's two largest free-market democracies.

Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro, voiced concern about what he termed the rhetoric of protectionism in the United States, where India has become closely associated with outsourcing.

Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi, struck a similar note of caution, urging countries to keep their borders open to international trade during the economic downturn.

"No period in history has seen such an amazing growth in prosperity. The massive change for good we've seen in India is a wonderfully inspiring example of what I mean," Nooyi said.

"However we would this at risk if, understandably, frightened by the financial crisis, countries around the globe were tempted by the quick wins of closing borders and restricting trade. This is no abstract threat," Nooyi added.

Clinton also pledged closer economic and trade ties and said negotiations would begin soon on a bilateral investment treaty, creating more opportunities for trade between the two countries. (ANI)