Roundtable on the Future of U.S. – India Relations with Mr. Nelson Cunningham, President, McLarty Associates – 31st July 2017

AMCHAM members met with Mr. Nelson Cunningham, President and Co-Founder, McLarty Associates, for a roundtable session on the future of U.S. – India relations at the office of BAE Systems India on 31st July 2017. Mr. Nik Khanna, Managing Director – India, BAE Systems India Services (Pvt.) Limited, welcomed participants, introduced Mr. Cunningham and gave opening remarks.

Mr. Nelson Cunningham gave an overview of McLarty’s and their history with India. He emphasized that the U.S. – India relationship is one of few bilateral relationships in the world with bipartisan support in both countries. He discussed the political scene in Washington D.C., the budget reconciliation rules in the Senate, the new administration’s trade agenda and focus on countries with trade deficits, and areas of mutual concerns for both countries, such as counterterrorism and energy.

Members posed poignant questions about the unorthodox administration in the U.S. and the implications for India. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM, thanked Mr. Cunningham for his support of the U.S. – India economic partnership and an excellent interactive session.

Meeting with Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon – 28th July 2017

Members of the Northern Region Council led by Mr. Varun Khanna, Managing Director, BD India Private Limited, called on Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon, on 28th July 2017 in his office. Mr. Khanna shared the Northern Region Council’s capability deck with Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh which provides details on the activities of some of the U.S. companies having their offices in North India, particularly in Gurgaon, and their contribution in terms of employment, investment and revenue generated.

Mr. Vivek Vasishtha, Executive Director & Country Leader – IBM India, South Asia, and other members offered technologies by U.S. companies to meet the needs of the Haryana Government. Skill development, safety and security, road transportation, and CSR activities were discussed. Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh said that he would like to see synchronized efforts of U.S. companies in the CSR sphere as presently all companies were working individually. Mr. Varun Khanna said that AMCHAM member companies would like to go beyond CSR activities and offered solutions and technologies which would promote the growth of Gurgaon.

Meeting with Dr. D. Suresh, Commissioner, Gurgaon Division – 28th July 2017

Members of the Northern Region Council led by Mr. Varun Khanna, Managing Director, Becton Dickinson India Private Limited, had a meeting with Dr. D. Suresh, Commissioner, Gurgaon Division, in his office on 28th July 2017 in his office. Ms. Madhvi Kataria, Deputy Director General, AMCHAM, spoke about AMCHAM and Mr. Varun Khanna gave an overview of the activities of the members of AMCHAM in the Northern Region Council. The capability deck prepared on the basis of inputs received from companies based in the northern region was shared with Dr. Suresh. There was discussion on the areas in which U.S. companies were operating in Haryana, the employment generated, etc. AMCHAM requested Dr. Suresh to pinpoint the areas where American companies could assist the Government of Haryana. Lack of skill development in Haryana was a major cause of concern. Dr. Suresh said that a forum could be put together where government officials from Gurgaon District and AMCHAM members could interact once a month.

Defense Committee Meeting – 28th July 2017

AMCHAM’s Defense Committee held a meeting on 28th July 2017. A detailed briefing of the AMCHAM defense members meeting with Economic Advisor and In-charge DOMW Mr. Rajib Sen at Sena Bhawan, New Delhi, was shared with the whole team. The members went through the AMCHAM committee recommendations on offsets point by point and were requested to share inputs with respect to best practices from around the world. The members were also requested to share comments/recommendations on the Strategic Partnership Policy.

Meeting with Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs – 28th July 2017

AMCHAM hosted an interactive session with Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs (former U.S. Ambassador to India) on 28th July 2017 in the office of Boeing India. Ms. Madhvi Kataria, Deputy Director General, AMCHAM, welcomed and Mr. Ankur Kanaglekar, Director – Strategy & Business Development, Boeing International Corp India Pvt. Ltd., gave his opening remarks. Ambassador Frank G. Wisner shared his views on the state of the U.S. economy and U.S. – India relations. Members shared opportunities and challenges relating to defence, IT, manufacturing and medical devices.

Western Region Committee Meeting – 28th July 2017

The second meeting of AMCHAM’s Western Region Committee (WRC) was held over a concall on Friday, 28th July 2017. Mr. Mahesh Krishnamurti, Chairman – Western Region, AMCHAM and Managing Director, RGP, along with Ms. Kaku Nakhate, National Executive Board Member, AMCHAM and President & Country Head, Bank of America, and participating WRC members of the regional steering committee reviewed the past events which included specialized and topical events, learning and sharing forums, advocacy initiatives, as well as engagement and interaction with senior leaders and representatives of state governments. In addition to reviewing AMCHAM’s past events and brainstorming on forthcoming events, committee members collaborated on concepts, ideas and sub group initiatives for the proposed Western Region signature event proposed in December 2017.