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WASHINGTON&mndash;U.S. Senator John Cornyn on Tuesday joined members of the DFW Airport Board to encourage Air India to establish an air link to DFW International Airport. The group met with India's Minister of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and other Indian officials. Kevin Cox, chief operating officer; Joe Lopano, executive vice president; board member A.K. Mago; and C.C. Theopine, chairman of the Dallas Indo-American Chamber of Commerce joined Cornyn for the meeting.The group highlighted the large number of business travelers in Texas and states served by DFW, the low operating costs at the airport, and increasing number of Americans of Indian heritage in the state and surrounding areas supported by DFW. "If we are to remain a leader in trade with other states and other nations, we must continue to attract new carriers to our airports and new avenues of growth for Texas businesses," Cornyn said. "Creating this new air link would help increase the ability of the airport to showcase the many positive aspects of the region and the state. And more important, grow good jobs."The meeting was part of a nine-day trade mission to India. Cornyn met with the Indian ministers for Commerce and Industry, and spoke to the Confederation of Indian Industry and the National Association of Software and Services Companies. Cornyn urged the assembled leaders to continue to push for free trade, protection of intellectual property and common sense immigration reform."Political leaders should recognize what many in business have already realized," Cornyn said in a speech to business leaders. "The economies of the United States and India can work in support of one another to emphasize the strengths of our respective citizens."Sen. Cornyn is a member of the Congressional Oversight Group on Trade which supervises and consults with the U.S. Trade Representative. He also serves on the President's Export Council.