AMCHAM organized an interactive session with Ms. Vani Rao, Additional Secretary (Americas), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India on March 24th. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM welcomed Ms. Rao and participants. Ms. Kaku Nakhate, Vice Chair, AMCHAM and President and Country Head (India), Bank of America, N.A., in her opening remarks, spoke about U.S.-India relations in the wake of the current geopolitical scenario. She also complimented the U.S.-India dialogues being the gamechanger in elevating the mutual relationship. Ms. Vani Rao, in her keynote address, appreciated AMCHAM’s role in strengthening U.S.-India economic ties and enumerated some of the recent high-level interactions which indicates the increased level of partnership. She also highlighted the point that there is now a mutual desire to expand engagements to global issues. Ms. Rao stated that the U.S. is the largest trading partner of India and gave a brief overview of bilateral trade. She also mentioned the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) convened between the United States and India after a gap of four years, which saw agreements on market access issues especially in agri produce products. The government was keenly looking forward to the upcoming U.S.-India CEO Forum and Commercial Dialogue. She briefed participants on the extensive defense collaboration initiatives between the two countries. Ms. Rao highlighted the importance of hydrocarbon trade. She spoke about the integral role of industry in the space of green partnership. Critical and emerging technologies was another important aspect in U.S.-India ties. The Indian government welcomed the Indo Pacific Strategy announced in February 2022. Ms. Rao concluded her address by saying that India and U.S. were natural partners and the relationship has been one of the defining multifaceted partnerships of the century. It was followed by Q&A where members asked a range of questions pertaining to the QUAD, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, critical industries, healthcare products, etc. Mr. Sanjay Koul, Vice Chair, AMCHAM, and Chairman & Managing Director, Timken India Limited, summed up the session and presented the vote of thanks.