New Delhi- The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) announced the addition of S. Jaishankar, Former Foreign Secretary of India and current President of Global Corporate Affairs for the Tata Group, to its board today.
Dr. Jaishankar brings a wealth of experience to his position on the Board. Prior to his position as Indian Foreign Secretary from January 2015 to January 2018, Dr. Jaishankar held prominent roles in the Indian Foreign Service such as High Commissioner to Singapore, Ambassador to China, and Ambassador to the United States. He is widely respected for playing a key role in negotiating the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement.
During his time as Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Jaishankar was critically involved in establishing the U.S.-India defense relationship and the “Next Steps in the Strategic Partnership” or NSSP initiative. He was also instrumental in planning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visits to the United States in 2014.
As one of the longest-serving foreign secretaries in India’s history, Dr. Jaishankar is remembered for helping to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam. He also strengthened Indian-Israeli relations and planned Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel, the first of any Indian Prime Minister, which sparked a strong partnership between the two countries.
S. Jaishankar, India’s former Foreign Secretary and Group President for Global Corporate Affairs at Tata Sons noted “I’m looking forward to working with USISPF’s Board of Directors to build upon the key relationship between India and the U.S. The Tata group has been at the forefront of U.S.-India business ties, and USISPF will be an important platform to further develop this relationship.”
Jaishankar’s extensive career and long-standing knowledge of foreign policy makes him an invaluable addition to the USISPF Board. Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President of USISPF, commended this significant addition to the Board, “With his experience as Indian Foreign Secretary and Former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Jaishankar is one of the most profoundly influential individuals for U.S.-India relations, and we are honoured to welcome him to the USISPF Board, a powerful group that will undoubtedly make serious strides in partnership and trade growth between the United States and India.”
John Chambers, Former CEO and Chairman of Cisco and current Chairman of the USISPF Board, added, “Dr. Jaishankar is one of the most impressive and knowledgeable individuals in foreign relations who I have ever encountered. His previous roles in the Indian Foreign Service and current role with Tata Group make him an invaluable addition to the Forum’s already powerful board. We look forward to Dr. Jaishankar’s close guidance within our board to further strengthen relations between the U.S. and India.”
Secretary William Cohen, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and USISPF Board Member, also commented on Dr. Jaishankar’s addition to the USISPF Board, saying, “The USISPF was founded last year with the objective of promoting a strategic relationship between the U.S. and India, and finding common ground on important issues facing businesses in both countries. Our new board member, Dr. Jaishankar, epitomizes this mission, as is evident from his distinguished 40-year career in the Indian Foreign Service, and his steadfast leadership in advancing the U.S.-India relationship.”
While promoting trade is an important part of the organization’s work, it focuses on promoting job creation, inclusion, start-ups, innovation, and education. USISPF works to create the most powerful strategic relationship between U.S. and India and believes this goal can be achieved by business and government coming together to create meaningful opportunities that have the power to change the lives of citizens.
As champions of the U.S.-India commercial and strategic partnership, we believe there is an unprecedented opportunity for business communities in both countries to play a larger role in the next chapter of this important bilateral-partnership. USISPF is uniquely suited to work together with leaders in the U.S. and India to achieve our shared goals.
Headquartered in Washington D.C., USISPF has offices in New York, Silicon Valley, Mumbai and New Delhi.
