Indian Industry CEOs Meet With DC Officials, Musk In TX
WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – The India Global Forum (IGF) officially launched in the U.S. with a high-profile delegation of Indian business leaders engaging in exclusive, closed-door discussions with members of the incoming U.S. administration and key policymakers.
The delegation featured influential figures such as Jay Kotak, Co-Head of Kotak811; Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of OYO; Kalyan Raman, CEO of Flipkart; Aryaman Birla, Director at Aditya Birla Management Corporation Private Limited; Nilesh Ved, Chairman of Apparel Group; and author Amish Tripathi, among others.
The discussions covered a range of topics, including President Trump’s populist approach, electoral shifts in the U.S., and the influential role of the Indian diaspora. The group also explored the U.S. economic landscape, focusing on opportunities in digital infrastructure, technology, innovation, and foreign investment, while emphasizing ways to strengthen U.S.-India bilateral collaboration.
“Democracies work best when democracies work together,” said Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum, during his opening address. “Today, we are here not just to discuss policies or trends but to actively shape the synergies between India and the United States – two of the world’s greatest democracies, working together to navigate a complex and rapidly changing global landscape.”
Prominent voices guiding the discussions included Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, who shared insights from working under Trump’s administration. Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, added a geopolitical perspective, discussing India’s strategic priorities under the Trump presidency. Scott Tranter of Decision Desk analyzed data behind the 2024 elections and offered predictions on key policy trends.
The day concluded with a reception at India House, hosted by Vinay Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to the U.S.
The delegation then traveled to Brownsville, TX, where Elon Musk hosted them at SpaceX’s Starbase facility. Musk expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-India relations, advocating for lower trade barriers to increase commerce between the two nations.
