On Friday October 14, 2022, the Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India, New York, organized a day-long summit titled “India-U.S. Partnership for Innovation”. The event, which also served to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's independence, was inaugurated by India's ambassador to the U.S., Hon. Taranjit S. Sandhu. The summit was part of the Vivek and Vandana Sharma India Initiative at the Center for Emerging Markets.
Those in attendance—120 in person and nearly 1000 more online—heard from ministers, senior policymakers, and CEOs and founders of Indian and U.S. companies. Speakers explored innovation issues in sectors ranging from water and renewable energy to communications, electronics, digital businesses, healthcare, and space exploration.
“The summit provided a unique opportunity to explore Indian innovations across a wide range of industries, and it opens the door for our center and Northeastern University to form deeper relationships with Indian policymakers and business leaders,” said Ravi Ramamurti, Director of the Center for Emerging Markets.
Prior to the summit, Ambassador Sandhu and the Hon. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India-New York, visited the Center for Emerging Markets and engaged in a rich policy discussion with Northeastern educational leaders, D'Amore-McKim faculty, and the Center's advisory board members.
Noted Ramamurti, “It was truly an honor to host Ambassador Sandhu a few days before the summit and to hear his candid views on India-U.S. relations and the geopolitical landscape.”
Following Ambassador Sandhu's inauguration, several notable policymakers also addressed summit attendees, including: Mansukh Mandaviya, India's Hon. Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Chemicals & Fertilizers (TBC); Bharat Lal, Secretary Lokpal and the former director of Jal Jeevan Mission; Shri Suresh Prabhu, the former minister of Civil Aviation, Railways, Commerce & Industry; and Dr. Umamaheswaran R., Director, Human Space Flight Center, Indian Space Research Organization. Key business leaders who spoke included: Deepak Bagla, Managing Director and CEO, InvestIndia; Josh Foulger, Managing Director, Bharat Foxconn International Holding; Pamela D.A. Reeve, Chair of the Board, American Tower; Phalgun Kompalli, Co-Founder, UpGrad; and Sumant Sinha, Chairman & Managing Director, ReNew Power. Northeastern's Provost, David Madigan, welcomed summit participants, and Diane Nishigaya MacGillivray, Northeastern's Senior Vice President for University Advancement, provided an additional vote of thanks.