US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Hosts Reception for Visiting U.S. Congressional Delegation

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Mukesh Aghi
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New Delhi–The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) hosted a dinner reception for Members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology from the United States Congress yesterday, on October 16.

The Congressional Delegation, led by the Committee’s Chairman, Lamar Smith (R-TX), is visiting Bangalore and New Delhi to explore areas of collaboration in science and technology between the United States and India. The purpose of this trip is to spark a dialogue between the U.S. Congress and stakeholders in both the government and private sector in India.

With Bangalore serving as India’s science and technology hub, the city presented an opportunity for the delegation to engage with local government and private stakeholders to explore potential areas where the U.S. government could collaborate on policy proposals and investment initiatives. The committee was also interested in discussing issues that affect U.S. companies with a presence in India.

Bangalore’s state, Karnataka, has sought to attract investments from abroad in an effort to fuel job growth within India. The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, has welcomed investments from companies to assist in job creation and development in the state. Consequently, American companies have contributed to the rapid development of one of the most investment-friendly states in the country and companies have taken note of Karnataka in their development plans.

Mukesh Aghi

While welcoming the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, USISPF President Dr. Mukesh Aghi thanked Chairman Lamar Smith for leading the delegation to India to create a dialogue in the science and technology sphere with the potential to increase jobs exponentially. Dr. Aghi said that “the U.S. and Indian governments, along with business stakeholders, should work cohesively to further the objectives of the committee.”

Chairman Lamar Smith stated: “India is a nation with which we share many priorities. During our time in India, we will meet with the nation’s leaders to discuss opportunities for continuing partnerships on cybersecurity initiatives, STEM education, technological innovations, and advancements in space. The Science Committee, which I chair, has broad jurisdiction over federally funded civilian research and development programs that encompass these issues. I look forward to exchanging ideas about these priorities with our Indian partners.”

The lead Democrat on the Delegation is Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), a strong supporter of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship and the longest-serving Indian American Member of Congress. Other members of the delegation include Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, Rep. Mo Brooks, Rep. Thomas Massie, Rep. Brian Babin, Rep. Barbara Comstock, Rep. Mark Sanford and Rep. Darren Soto.

USISPF was launched in August by its Chairman, John Chambers, Chairman of Cisco, and other senior executives including: Chairmen Punit Renjen (Global CEO, Deloitte LLP) and Edward Monser (President, Emerson Electric), and Board Members Indra Nooyi (Chairwoman & CEO, PepsiCo), Ajay Banga (President & CEO, MasterCard), Susan Esserman (partner, Steptoe & Johnson), former Secretary of Defense William Cohen (Chairman & CEO, The Cohen Group), Purna Saggurti(Chairman of Global Corporate & Investment Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch), and Ambassador Frank Wisner (International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs).

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