AMCHAM’s Medical Devices committee meeting was held on September 30th virtually under the chairmanship of Ms. Aileen Nandi, Honorary USG Chairperson – Medical Devices Committee, AMHCAM and Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, along with Ms. Meenakshi Nevatia, Chairperson – Medical Devices Committee, AMCHAM and Managing Director, Stryker India and Mr. Manoj Madhavan, Co-Chairman – Medical Devices Committee, AMCHAM and Managing Director, Boston Scientific.

During the meeting members had an interaction with Ms. Aileen Nandi and Dr. Preetha Rajaraman, Health Attaché, U.S. Embassy gave an update on the U.S.-India Health Dialogue. Discussion was based on updates on the status of price control on stent and knee, NLEMD/TMR discussion, PPO and details about the regulatory roundtable organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. The meeting concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Manoj Madhavan who thanked members for their valuable inputs.

AMCHAM’s Eastern Region hosted an interactive briefing session with Ms. Aileen Nandi, Honorary National Executive Board Member, AMCHAM and Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy during her visit to Kolkata on September 28th. The U.S. Consul General Melinda Pavek, U.S. Consulate Kolkata, accompanied Ms. Nandi. AMCHAM was represented by Eastern Region Executive Committee members Mr. Gulshan Sachdev, Chairman – Eastern Region, AMCHAM and Managing Director, Quaker Houghton, Mr. Joydeep Datta Gupta, Vice Chairman – Eastern Region, AMCHAM and Partner, Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu India, LLP, Ms. Kasturi Bhattacharya, CEO, Data Core Systems, Mr. Surajit Banerjee, Managing Director, Fi-Tek Pvt. LLP and Ms. Amada Kidwai, Regional Director – Eastern Region, AMCHAM. Members spoke about the investment climate in West Bengal, the new data policy that the government had recently announced and current incentives in place.

The Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee organized AMCHAM’s 8th Anti-Corruption Compliance and Risk Management Master Class on September 28th – 29th. Ms. Komple Sharma, Manager, AMCHAM, welcomed speakers and participants. Mr. Gaurav Ajmani, Chairman – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM and Associate General Counsel, Business Conduct & Ethics, Amazon Seller Services, in his opening remarks, spoke about the methodology of finalizing the masterclass agenda. He thanked members for their responses to various surveys and meetings that helped in identifying focus areas. He also talked about how COVID has impacted everyone and how it became a challenge for compliance professionals to run compliance programs. He then gave an overview of the program. Ms. Aileen Nandi, Honorary National Executive Board Member, AMCHAM and Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, in her special address highlighted the importance of this subject and complimented American companies for their commitment not to engage in corruption and bribery. She said that it’s a USP for the American companies. While lauding the concreted efforts by the Indian authorities in curbing corruption, she mentioned that corruption proves to be very expensive for all stakeholders. She shared that in the year 2020 alone, the U.S. Department of Justice tried 28 individuals for FCPA violations. She concluded by saying that business plays an extremely crucial role in combating corruption. Ms. Bhawna A. Ranganadhan, Co-Chairperson – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM and Vice President, Legal and Compliance, Genpact gave the vote of thanks.

The first session was a panel discussion on ‘Compliance amidst COVID-19’ moderated by Mr. Prasad Shetty, Managing Director, Risk Advisory & Investigations, FTI Consulting with panelists Dr. Simrat Sohal, Ethics & Compliance Specialist, Healthcare Sector, Ms. Sonali Khanna, VP and General Counsel India & South West Asia, Coca-Cola and Ms. Swati Sharma, Sr. Counsel, BAE Systems India (Services) Private Limited. The discussion focused on the evolving compliance landscape and risks during the last 18 months (biggest pain points, challenges and risks, key learnings and current business standing), sectoral view on the major disruptions in the compliance environment (including WFH, new normal, compliance breaches such as fraud, cyber threats, breach of supply chain integrity) and the way forward.

The second session ‘Transparency International – Fight Against Corruption’ featured speaker Prof. Madhu Bhalla, Chairperson, Transparency India. She gave a comprehensive presentation covering the national integrity framework, work done by TI in promoting integrity, synopsis of various TI’s publications, impact of TI reports, corruption perception index and India’s performance, Indian cases under POCA, whistle blowing policy in India, conflict of interest policy and COVID’s impact on corruption.

The third session featured Ms. Lorinda Laryea, Assistant Chief, FCPA Unit, United States Department of Justice and Ms. Amie C. Stemen, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, International Corruption Unit, in a fireside chat with Ms. Bhawna A. Ranganadhan. The discussion covered the corporate compliance program guidance issued by the DoJ, India specific pointers, third party programs, COVID and its impact, disclosure and interplay of the DOJ and FBI.

Day 2 began with the fourth session on investigations with Mr. Prasad Shetty, Managing Director, Risk Advisory & Investigations, FTI Consulting and Mr. Rohit Dhingra, Managing Director, Risk Advisory & Investigations, FTI Consulting. The presentation covered corporate fraud: present scenario, evolution of investigations, conducting investigations, investigations in the new ambit of technology, case studies, impact of COVID-19 on investigations and best practices for investigations. Key takeaways included uunderstanding the current scenario of corporate fraud, combining technology with investigations, addressing differing types of investigations and combating investigations.

The master class ended with a session on ‘POCA: An Industry Perspective’ with Mr. Vinay Joy, Partner – Corporate & Commercial, Employment, Labour & Benefits, White Collar Crime, Khaitan & Co. as the expert speaker. He explained the framework of anti-corruption laws in India covering the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Service Rules for Government Officials, Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, Companies Act, 2013, Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 and other miscellaneous acts. He then explained the statutory evolution of POCA, its amendments and extensively explained changes in various sections of the Act. He also spoke about bribery as under POCA. He shared recent case studies with the audience and concluded his presentation by drawing a comparison of Anti Bribery and Anti-Corruption Laws in India, U.S. and the UK.

Mr. Gaurav Ajmani, Chairman – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM and Ms. Bhawna A. Ranganadhan, Co-Chairperson – Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Committee, AMCHAM summarized the two day master class in their concluding remarks and requested participants to continue sending their feedback to the committee. The event was attended by nearly 100 participants and was supported by FTI Consulting.

AMCHAM’s ICT Committee organized a meeting on September 24th under the leadership of Mr. Som Satsangi, Chairman – ICT Committee, AMCHAM and Managing Director, Hewlett Packard Enterprise India and Mr. Anand Ganapathy, Co-Chairman – ICT Committee, AMCHAM and Country Manager, Enterprise, Dell Technologies. The committee discussed, amongst other issues, concerns with Trusted Telecom Certification, harmonization of standards, critical infrastructure and supply chain security, cryptocurrency and report to VPN. It was decided to prepare recommendations to send to the Government of India and contributions of U.S. industry in India on emerging technology, digitalization, employment generation and education initiatives.

AMCHAM India organized a defense delegation to Washington DC led by AMCHAM’s Chairman, Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India, along with Mr. William Blair, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM India and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India, from September 20th – 24th, 2021. The main purpose of the delegation was to inform and sensitize U.S. policymakers on defense related challenges impacting the U.S.-India relationship. The delegation interacted with many of the important players in the economic and strategic partnership and other key decision-makers.

The main topics of discussions with government officials included:

• • •  Indo Pacific strategy and cooperation
    • U.S.- India joint maritime exercises, export opportunities and advantage of interoperability
    • Mobilizing the Quad
    • CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) – awareness of the dynamics and possibility of waiver for India
    • Opportunities in 5G, quantum computing and space
    • Collaboration on COVID initiatives and pandemic related support between both countries
    • Restart of the Trade Policy Forum later in 2021

In partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), on Monday, September 20th, the delegation participated in an interaction with India experts from think tanks. Some of the participants in the discussion included, Mr. Richard M. Rossow, Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Center for Strategic & International Studies and Senior Director – India & South Asia, McLarty Associates, Mr. Ray Vickery, Senior Adviser, Albright Stonebridge Group and Senior Associate (Non-Resident), Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Ms. Katherine Hadda, Adjunct Fellow (Non-Resident), Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Dr. Irfan Nooruddin, Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council and Professor, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Ms. Tanvi Madan, Director – The India Project and Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Project on International Order and Strategy, Brookings, Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation, Dr. Pravin Krishna, Chung Ju Yung Distinguished Professor of International Economics and Business, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Ms. Mona Dave, Asia Program Officer, National Endowment for Democracy, among others.

On September 21st, the delegation met with Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Mr. Christopher Wilson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, South and Central Asia. On September 22nd, the delegation went to the Pentagon and met with Department of Defense officials: Mr. Michael Vaccaro, Acting Executive Director, International Cooperation, Mr. Duncan Lang, Chief, India Rapid Reaction Cell, Ms. Aditi Kumar, Senior Advisor, Office of Industrial Policy, Mr. Ike Blanton, Investment Review, Office of Industrial Policy, Ms. Monika Jones, Director of International Engagement, Office of Industrial Policy and Mr. Bob Burkett.

On September 23rd, the delegation met with Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Ms. Laura Stone, Deputy Assistant Secretary for India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC). Finally, on September 24th, the delegation met with Senate Armed Services Committee professional staff supporting Chairman Reed: Mr. Mike Noblet, Ms. Leslie Ashton, Mr. Arun Seraphin and Mr. Bill Monahan and met with Defense/Foreign Policy Team of Senator James Inhofe: Mr. Don Archer, Mr. Dan Holder and Mr. Sam Trizza.

AMCHAM India Defense Delegation 2021

1. 1.   Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman, AMCHAM India and President, Boeing India
   2.   Mr. William Blair, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM India and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India
   3.   Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM India
   4.   Ms. Valerie Swope, Program Coordinator, AMCHAM India

AMCHAM India organized a defense delegation to Washington DC led by AMCHAM’s Chairman, Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India, along with Mr. William Blair, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM India and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India, from September 20th – 24th, 2021. The main purpose of the delegation was to inform and sensitize U.S. policymakers on defense related challenges impacting the U.S.-India relationship. The delegation interacted with many of the important players in the economic and strategic partnership and other key decision-makers.

The main topics of discussions with government officials included:

• •  Indo Pacific strategy and cooperation
  • U.S.- India joint maritime exercises, export opportunities and advantage of interoperability
  • Mobilizing the Quad
  • CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) – awareness of the dynamics and possibility of waiver for India
  • Opportunities in 5G, quantum computing and space
  • Collaboration on COVID initiatives and pandemic related support between both countries
  • Restart of the Trade Policy Forum later in 2021

In partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), on Monday, September 20th, the delegation participated in an interaction with India experts from think tanks. Some of the participants in the discussion included, Mr. Richard M. Rossow, Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Center for Strategic & International Studies and Senior Director – India & South Asia, McLarty Associates, Mr. Ray Vickery, Senior Adviser, Albright Stonebridge Group and Senior Associate (Non-Resident), Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Ms. Katherine Hadda, Adjunct Fellow (Non-Resident), Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Dr. Irfan Nooruddin, Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council and Professor, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Ms. Tanvi Madan, Director – The India Project and Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Project on International Order and Strategy, Brookings, Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation, Dr. Pravin Krishna, Chung Ju Yung Distinguished Professor of International Economics and Business, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Ms. Mona Dave, Asia Program Officer, National Endowment for Democracy, among others.

On September 21st, the delegation met with Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Mr. Christopher Wilson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, South and Central Asia. On September 22nd, the delegation went to the Pentagon and met with Department of Defense officials: Mr. Michael Vaccaro, Acting Executive Director, International Cooperation, Mr. Duncan Lang, Chief, India Rapid Reaction Cell, Ms. Aditi Kumar, Senior Advisor, Office of Industrial Policy, Mr. Ike Blanton, Investment Review, Office of Industrial Policy, Ms. Monika Jones, Director of International Engagement, Office of Industrial Policy and Mr. Bob Burkett.

On September 23rd, the delegation met with Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Ms. Laura Stone, Deputy Assistant Secretary for India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC). Finally, on September 24th, the delegation met with Senate Armed Services Committee professional staff supporting Chairman Reed: Mr. Mike Noblet, Ms. Leslie Ashton, Mr. Arun Seraphin and Mr. Bill Monahan and met with Defense/Foreign Policy Team of Senator James Inhofe: Mr. Don Archer, Mr. Dan Holder and Mr. Sam Trizza.

AMCHAM India Defense Delegation 2021

1. 1.   Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman, AMCHAM India and President, Boeing India
   2.   Mr. William Blair, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM India and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India
   3.   Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM India
   4.   Ms. Valerie Swope, Program Coordinator, AMCHAM India