AMCHAM organized an interaction with a U.S. Congressional staffer delegation visiting India on February 19th in New Delhi. The delegation included Mr. Mark Libell, Chief of Staff for Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ms. Bessie Chen, Policy Analyst for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Ranking Member Senator James Risch (R-ID), Ms. Daisy Bledsoe-Herring, Legislative Assistant for Foreign Policy for Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mr. Paul Guaglianone, Legislative Director for Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ms. Emma Bruce, Democratic Staff Director, House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific for Ranking Member Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), Mr. Eric Lee, Professional Staff Member, Indo-Pacific, House Foreign Affairs Committee and Mr. Ben Press, Foreign Policy Fellow for Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA).

Ms. Valerie Swope, Program Coordinator, AMCHAM welcomed participants and shared about AMCHAM’s annual door knock delegation to Washington DC. Mr. Alain Garcia, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Vice President, Global Business Development – India, Boeing Defense, Space and Security, The Boeing Company provided an overview of the business climate in India and specifically highlighted the defense sector. The delegates gave brief remarks about their foreign policy work, thoughts on India and posed questions about the ease of doing business. Mr. Salil Gupte, Vice Chairman, AMCHAM and President, Boeing India moderated the discussion which touched upon, trade barriers, IP, technology transfer, MRO, semiconductors, Indo Pacific, green hydrogen, supply chain security, cost of compliance and infrastructure development, among others. Members and delegates shared candid insights on the geopolitical scenario and opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-India partnership. Wg Cdr Rajiv Anand, Senior Director, AMCHAM briefly summarized the interaction and gave the vote of thanks. The interaction continued over a networking dinner.