Defense Debriefing of 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

On October 30th, CAPT Daniel Fillion, Honorary USG Chair – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), U.S. Embassy briefed AMCHAM’s Defense Committee on the key discussions and takeaways from the U.S. – India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between Dr. Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense and Mr. Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The two sides have completed the significant step of signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) and also increased enhanced maritime information sharing. The two sides have decided to work together to realize the development of their respective defense industries. The U.S. acknowledged India’s contributions to the global supply chain of major defense platforms and commitment to defense innovation. The importance of the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) and the intention to fast track projects under DTTI was discussed. The signing of a Statement of Intent (SoI) at the 10th DTTI meeting to strengthen dialogue on defense technology cooperation on several specific DTTI projects as well as a DTTI Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for identification and development of joint projects was again acknowledged. India looks forward to the participation by the U.S. government and defense industry at the upcoming Aero-India in February 2021.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

Harnessing Diversity & Inclusion in association with Ernst & Young

AMCHAM’s Hyderabad Chapter, in association with Ernst & Young, organized a session on ‘Harnessing Diversity & Inclusion’ on October 30th. The session kicked off with Mr. Prakash Bodla, Chairman – Hyderabad Chapter, AMCHAM, welcoming the participants. Ms. Alpana Dutta, Partner, India & EMEIA Solution Leader – Culture Leadership, EY, enlightened participants on what has changed, remained constant and emerged in the current scenario. The keynote speaker, Ms. Jaya Virwani, Head of Ethics Office & Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for EY Global Delivery Services, not only debunked some common myths regarding D&I but also highlighted the initiatives her firm has taken and its positive impact.

The highlight of the session was the diverse panel discussion with multi-faceted speakers from industry touching upon different D&I themes. Mr. Tanay Kediyal, EVP & Head of Consumer Small Business Banking (IN & PH), Wells Fargo, shared his company’s veteran program while Ms. Latha Nair, HR Director South Asia, DuPont, highlighted how D&I needs changes from a equality perspective. Ms. Jyotsna Kumar, Global Head – Central Operation CX Tools & Quality, Google, touched upon the D&I strategy that is future ready and aligned with business whereas Ms. Roopa Basrur, Co-Lead PAREXEL India D&I Committee, narrated how their firm built a case for change. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Jayesh Sanghvi, Vice Chairman – Hyderabad Chapter, AMCHAM and Managing Partner, EY. Even though the session was virtual, it remained interactive with live polls and questions from participants.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

Virtual Interaction with Mr. Geoffery Parish, Principal Commercial Officer, US. Embassy

On 28th October, Ms. Udaya Arun, Director – Aerospace & Defense, AMCHAM, virtually interacted with the newly posted Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy, Mr. Geoffery Parish and updated him about AMCHAM’s activities in the aerospace and defense sector. She briefed him about the past initiatives of the committees as well as brought him up to date on the future activities planned for the sector, while seeking support of the commercial side in the largest interest of the committee players and initiatives. They were also joined on the virtual call by Ms. Nisha Wadhawan, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

Learn n Share: Return to Travel

AMCHAM’s HR Committee organized a Learn n Share session on ‘Return to Travel’ on October 27th. The session focused upon return to work and return to travel post COVID and shed light on some of the best practices being followed by HR professionals across sectors. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM welcomed participants and gave opening remarks. The speakers included Ms. Rekha Gairola, India Lead & Regional Security Advisor, India & South Asia, Boeing India, Ms. Achal Khanna, Co-Chairperson – HR Committee, AMCHAM and CEO, SHRM India & Business Head, Asia Pacific and MENA and Mr. Chaitanya N. Sreenivas, Chairman – HR Committee, AMCHAM and VP HR & HR Head India South Asia, IBM. Ms. Rekha Gairola gave a presentation on ‘Return to Travel’ and explained the country status decision matrix in taking decisions pertaining to business travel.

She also talked about returning to normal in business travel, challenges involved, considerations to be undertaken and the way forward. Ms. Achal Khanna gave a comprehensive presentation on post COVID work life. She also discussed some of the key findings from SHRM research, 2020. She highlighted the key factors for mitigating — communication, recall process and mental health resources. Mr. Chaitanya N. Sreenivas gave a presentation on return to work and travel with a special focus on the IT & ITES sector. He shared best practices of his organization with participants. He also shared that it has to be a safe and prioritized progression based on business needs and local conditions. Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman, AMCHAM and President Boeing India shared his observations with the audience. It was followed by an open house discussion where various questions pertaining to data on safe traveling, role of HR professionals in critical times, medical insurance and work life balance, among other topics, were discussed. Ms. Ranjana Khanna thanked panelists and gave the vote of thanks.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

U.S. Industry Interaction with Ms. Heidi Grant, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)

American Chamber of Commerce in India
Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India

American Chamber of Commerce in India
Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India

U.S. Industry Interaction with Ms. Heidi Grant, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) – 26 October 2020

On October 26th, some of AMCHAM’s Defense Committee members met with Ms. Heidi Grant, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and welcomed her leadership in the U.S. – India defense partnership. Mr. William L. Blair, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Vice President and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India, welcomed participants and Director Grant before moderating the session. Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman, AMCHAM and President, Boeing India, gave special remarks followed by keynote address by Director Grant, in which she briefly shared key takeaways from the recently concluded 2+2 ministerial dialogue. Director Grant was presented with the AMCHAM study. Mr. Nikhil Khanna, Co-Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Managing Director, India, BAE Systems, gave the vote of thanks.

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.

Defense Committee Meeting 23 Oct 2020

AMCHAM’s Defense Committee, under the leadership of Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman, AMCHAM and President, Boeing India, Mr. William L. Blair, Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Vice President and Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin India and Mr. Nikhil Khanna, Co-Chairman – Defense Committee, AMCHAM and Managing Director, India, BAE Systems, connected virtually on October 23rd to discuss and align priorities and thoughts for the interaction with Ms. Heidi Grant, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Membership

By joining AMCHAM India, you become part of an active and dynamic Apex Chamber of U.S. Industry in India with a membership base of more than 400 American companies in India. AMCHAM is an important voice for policy advocacy, a critical source for business intelligence, a vibrant platform for networking and expanding your business.