USIBC, NITI Aayog highlight India as technology Industry; Amitabh Kant receives award for public service

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) today launched its first Annual West Coast Summit to examine the US-India business corridor to build the digital future of the global economy.

The event witnessed Amitabh Kant, the newly appointed CEO of the National Institution of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, proposing ways in which the Government of India and industry can coordinate efforts to ensure the success of programs such as Digital India, Start up India, Skill India, Financial Inclusion and Make in India.

The summit comes on the heels of the historic visit to the Silicon Valley undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2015, where Silicon Valley entrepreneurs had highlighted the importance of US-India bilateral ties in the technology corridor.

USIBC Chairman John Chambers remained optimistic on India's prospects for growth despite strong global headwinds and said, "With the Prime Minister's extraordinary vision and leadership, India stands out as a force for change. The country also has someone as dynamic as Kant to lead the policy efforts of the Narendra Modi. There's a reason why Cisco is investing USD 100 million in India the next few years; it is representative of what we think is an opportunity to build the next generation of innovative solutions, talent, and products for the digital economy."

In a lively discussion between John Chambers and Amitabh Kant, the latter was applauded for his action-oriented governance and being the key figure for breathing life in to Prime Minister Modi's vision of Digital India, Make in India and Skill India.

Kant said that India's future would lie in how successfully the country is able to provide universal access for all citizens as well as improve the quality of education across all levels. Kant also highlighted that dismantling a heavy bureaucracy, fostering healthy and competitive environment continues to be the mandate for Prime Minister Modi's government.

Kant was also awarded the 'USIBC Transformative Leadership Award', an honor that has been instituted by the council to acknowledge excellence in public service and recognize the honoree's achievement in championing US-India ties in the areas of trade, politics and culture.

Congratulating Amitabh Kant on being the first recipient of the award, Mukesh Aghi, President of the USIBC said, "Amitabh has been the key player in promoting ease of doing business in India and unlocking the potential of some vital initiatives such as Make in India, Start up India and the simplification of the permitting process. His branding ideas such as Incredible India and God's Own Country have put India on the global map. Under his stewardship, FDI flow to India has risen 37 percent. There couldn't be a more deserving candidate than Amitabh to receive this award."

With a major transition set to take place in the US government next year, the 45th US President will face a multitude of opportunities and challenges with regard to US-India bilateral ties.

The summit featured a panel on the priorities for the next President with former Undersecretary of Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, and the Consul General of San Francisco, Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok. Nicholas Burns stated that there is bipartisan consensus at the political and policy level that makes the potential for US-India relations limitless.

The event was attended by USIBC Chairman John Chambers CEO of the National Institution of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, Amitabh Kant; CEO of Adobe Shantanu Narayen; USIBC President Dr. Mukesh Aghi; Varsha Rao, Head of Global Operations, Airbnb; and Joseph DiSimone, CEO of Carbon, among others.