On May 24th in Bengaluru, AMCHAM organized a closed-door U.S. industry roundtable with Ambassador Eric Garcetti, Honorary President, AMCHAM and U.S. Ambassador to India on strengthening the bilateral relationship in critical and emerging technologies.  Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM welcomed the Ambassador and members and spoke about the importance of tech cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Salil Gupte, Vice Chairman, AMCHAM and President, Boeing India & South Asia, in his opening remarks congratulated AMCHAM for being a breeding ground for ideas for the US industry consortium in India. He emphasized Bengaluru’s significance as a tech and innovation hub where there is presence of both software services, IoT and industry 4.0 along with manufacturing facilities. He shared about AMCHAM’s upcoming door knock delegation to the U.S. and its role in sensitizing olicy makers. Ambassador Garcetti, in his special remarks, talked about the importance of technology and innovation in daily life. He stressed the dual potential of critical and emerging technologies, highlighting the long-term impact of initiatives taken today. Ambassador Garcetti cited the U.S.-India partnership’s success in numerous initiatives helping mankind globally. He also spoke about the Make in India initiative and advocated for increased U.S. manufacturing in India. He expressed his desire to double U.S. trade with India and increase investments to $200 billion in the coming years. He outlined the pillars of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) and promoted research and collaboration in quantum technology and lauded India’s advancements in communication systems. Mr. Amit Sharma, Karnataka Chapter Executive Committee Member, AMCHAM and Managing Partner – Global Delivery, IBM provided an overview of Bengaluru’s role in critical technology and a hub for AI, quantum computing, and cyber security. He emphasized the city’s role as a confluence of skill sets and industry technology.

This was followed by a moderated industry discussion on various topics including: retaining talent in India and fostering collaborations between U.S. and Indian educational institutions, need for investment in innovation, challenges in cyber security collaborations, education and training programs focused on critical and emerging technologies, shift of maintenance and repair operations (MRO), advancements in quantum computing, climate change and sustainability initiatives, space technology, streamlining of cross-border movement, emerging talent and accelerating interoperability programs and investment in risk capital to support iCET. Ambassador Garcetti addressed key points raised, highlighting the challenges in skill development and the importance of stronger relationships between U.S. and Indian colleges. He stressed the need for gender parity to help India emerge as an economic powerhouse. The roundtable concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Ranjana Khanna. Mr. Christopher Hodges, Consul General, Chennai, Mr. Jonathan Heimer, Honorary National Executive Member, AMCHAM and Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Ms. Carey Arun, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Consualte General Chennai, Mr. Jason Evans, Political/Economic Officer, U.S. Consualte General Chennai, Mr. David Bolton, Regional BIS Export Control Officer, U.S. Embassy, Mr. William Cammett, Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy and Mr. Ravi Krishnan, Karnataka Chapter Executive Committee Member, AMCHAM and Chief Administration Office, Goldman Sachs. More than 20 companies participated in the roundtable.