Washington, Nov 18 (PTI) Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American ever to make a bid for the US presidency, has bowed out of the White House race as he acknowledged that "this is not my time" after a campaign that failed to gain much support among Republicans.

"This is not my time, so I am suspending my campaign for President," 44-year-old Jindal said in a statement yesterday that surprised the American political pundits.

"I cannot tell you what an honour it has been to run for President of the United States of America. My parents came to this country 45 years ago searching for freedom and a chance," he said.

Going forward, the Louisiana Governor said he believes that the Republicans have to be the party of growth and it can never stop being the party that believes in opportunity.

"We cannot settle for the Left's view of envy and division. We have to be the party that says everyone in this country -- no matter the circumstances of their birth or who their parents are - can succeed in America," he said.

"One of the things I will do is go back to work at the think tank I started a few years ago -- where I will be outlining a blueprint for making this the American century.

"We must show the way forward on growing our economy and winning the war against terror, and especially defeating radical Islam," Jindal said.

Jindal often polled under one per cent and his campaign reportedly suffered financial pressure.

His campaign also failed to generate much enthusiasm among the Indian-Americans because of his statements in which he sought to distance himself from being an Indian-American.

Jindal has now become the third Republican to opt out of the 2016 presidential race, the other two being -- former Texas governor Rick Perry and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

"I realise that our country is off on the wrong track right now. Everyone knows that, but don't forget, this is still the greatest country in the history of the world - and every single one of us should start every day by thanking God that we are fortunate enough to be US citizens," Jindal said.

"Now is the time for all those Americans who still believe in freedom and American exceptionalism to stand up and defend it. The idea of America - the idea that my parents came here for almost a half a century ago -- that idea is slipping away from us. Freedom is under assault from both outside our borders and from within. We must act now, we do not have a moment to spare," he said.

Jindal's exit leaves 14 Republicans in the nomination hunt, including real estate tycoon frontrunner Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida governor Jeb Bush.