Cisco Chief John Chambers on India visit, to address employees today

Cisco Chairman John Chambers who is in India on a two-day official visit is scheduled to meet some key clients and senior executives of the company in Bangalore on Friday. Besides, he is also scheduled to address the company's employees at Cisco's Globalisation Centre East located in Bangalore.

Sources privy to his itinerary say that while around 300 employees will be able to listen to Chambers face to face, the rest of the employees would listen to him via IPTV. The employees are also free to ask any question to Chambers that they might intend to do during the programme.

Chambers who reached India on Wednesday evening met Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan yesterday. During his discussions with Chavan, the Cisco chairman expressed his desire to participate in the development of the state by being part of bridging the digital divide, according to sources in the company.

"Cisco has expressed its desire to identify areas of co-operation and expansion in Maharashtra. Cisco chief said, the company's expertise can be used to accelerate the economic and social development in the state," Chavan told Business Standard.

The global networking major counts India not only for its global R&D capabilities, but also as a major market. In 2005, the company announced an investment of $1.1 billion in India over a period of time which was said to be the largest investment by the company outside of the US.