US Congressman Gary Ackerman, a Democrat from New York, was on Wednesday unanimously elected co-chairman of the India caucus.

Ackerman, whose election witnessed an unprecedented turnout, is the first member from the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans to return to that position since the caucus adopted a rotating chairmanship.

The bipartisan caucus has two co-chairmen -- a Republican and a Democrat.

Ackerman accompanied former US president Bill Clinton to India in the spring of 2000.

He was instrumental in removing nuclear-related sanctions on India and has also led successful fights in the International Relations Committee and on the floor of Congress, rallying members to defeat assaults on the bilateral relationship by "India bashers".

"I am honoured and delighted that my colleagues have again selected me to lead the largest caucus of its type in the House of Representatives especially at this critical time in our relationship," Ackerman said.

"I look forward to once again leading the caucus and furthering relations between the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy."