The US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer on Thursday inaugurated an annual international food festival 'Aahar-2010' in the national capital.

Incidentally, the hallmark of this year's event is quality food items and agriculture products from the United States.

This gourmet's delight has been jointly organized by the Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) and Union Food Processing Industry Ministry.

Leading American food manufacturers like the California Prune Board, Food Export Commission, Southern United States Trade Association and others are participating in this year's Ahar expo.

On view are tempting and tongue tickling items such as prunes, pistachios, apples and many other assorted consumer food products from southern, mid western and northeastern United States.

After the formal inauguration, Roemer went around visiting almost all the stalls in the US pavilion.e even quipped that food connects the people of India and America.

"It is wonderful to be at an event promoting the US rich agricultural projects and programs in food. I am happy to be here eating my way, booth to booth and celebrating the American presence here," Roemer said.

Citing similarities between Indian and American in food habits, he noted that Indian cuisine and hospitality are world-renowned and it has been a pleasure to herald US food products that add healthy variety to dinner tables and snack time varieties for the people across India.

"Food is something that Americans and Indians have in common, from rice, pistachios, and red delicious apples to all the wonder foods that unite us. I am very happy tasting apples, prunes, pistachios, processed food and popcorn from my home state of Indiana. It is all wonderful and it's great to see it here in India," Roemer added.

Further he mentioned that the participating US companies are very pleased to do business in India and partnering with Indian distributors, supermarkets, food processors and groups of hotels and restaurants.

Roemer also disclosed that the US President Barack Obama has asked him to explore the prospects of food products exports to India, a sector that has witnessed 41 percent rise this year. (ANI)