The India Global Forum (IGF) has made its official debut in the United States, featuring a distinguished group of Indian business leaders who participated in exclusive, private discussions with members of the incoming U.S. administration and influential policymakers. This delegation included prominent individuals such as Jay Kotak, Co-Head of Kotak811; Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and 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 encompassed a variety of subjects, including President Trump’s populist strategies, shifts in the U.S. electoral landscape, and the significant impact of the Indian diaspora. The group also examined the economic environment in the U.S., identifying opportunities in digital infrastructure, technology, innovation, and foreign investment, while underscoring the importance of enhancing U.S.-India bilateral relations.
Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of the India Global Forum, emphasized the collaborative spirit in his opening remarks, stating, “Democracies work best when democracies work together.” He highlighted the forum’s purpose of not merely discussing policies but actively fostering synergies between India and the United States, two leading democracies navigating a complex global landscape. Key figures contributing to the dialogue included Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, who provided insights from his tenure under the Trump administration. Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, offered a geopolitical analysis of India’s strategic priorities during Trump’s presidency, while Scott Tranter of Decision Desk presented data-driven insights regarding the upcoming 2024 elections and potential policy trends. The event concluded with a reception at India House, hosted by Vinay Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Following this, the delegation visited Brownsville, Texas, where they were welcomed by Elon Musk at SpaceX’s Starbase facility. The future of U.S.-India relations appears promising, with a strong emphasis on reducing trade barriers to enhance commercial exchanges between the two countries. By advocating for a more open trade environment, both nations can foster greater economic collaboration, leading to mutual benefits and strengthened ties.