Ambassador presents his credentials to President Obama

24 Pages·2014·4.34 MB·English

A Publication of the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C.
India ReviewApril 2014
(cid:1) Vol. 10 Issue 4 (cid:1) www.indianembassy.org
Indian Ambassador to the US Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar with US President Barack Obama at the Oval Office of the White House on March 10.
Photo: The White House
Ambassador presents his
credentials to President Obama
India to emerge Indian media to Google offers
nn nn nn
largest aviation grow 14.2 percent, indoor maps in
market in the world says a CII•study India
Ambassador’s
ENGAGEMENTS
Ambassador presents credentials to US President
A
mbassador of India to the
United States, Dr.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
presented his credentials on
March 10 to the President of the
United States of America (USA)
Barack H. Obama at the Oval Office
of the White House.
President Obama warmly wel-
comed Ambassador Jaishankar to
Washington and wished him success
in his responsibilities as India’s next
Ambassador to the United States.
The President said that US and India
could accomplish a lot together.
Ambassador Jaishankar, in his
remarks to President Obama, con-
veyed warm greetings from the
President and the Prime Minister of
India to him and Mrs. Michelle
Obama. Ambassador Jaishankar
assured President Obama of his com-
mitment to expand key pillars of the
bilateral relationship including eco-
nomic relations and trade ties,
defense and security, energy, science
and technology and global issues. Indian Ambassador Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar with President Barack Obama.Photo: The White House
Ambassador welcomes US move to include more Sikh in military
Ambassador of India, Dr. S. The large number of signatories to walks of life. The Sikh community's
Jaishankar welcomed the this letter testifies to the important success in the United States is a
bipartisan Congressional letter role played by the Sikh community in source of pride for India and a pillar
issued on March 10, 2014 to the U.S. the United States and its various of the India-U.S. partnership.”
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Speaking of the contributions of the
THE LETTER WAS ISSUED TO
urging the Department of Defense to Sikh community in India, Ambassador
promote inclusion of Sikh communi- US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Jaishankar noted, “India takes pride in
ty members in the U.S. Armed Forces being the cradle of Sikhism. The Sikh
by modernizing appearance regula- CHUCK HAGEL URGING HIM community is an intrinsic part of
tions that allow them to wear turbans India's multi-religious and pluralistic
TO PROMOTE INCLUSION OF
2 and maintain beards. fabric. Sikhs have made India proud
The letter is authored by SIKH MEMBERS IN THE US with their sacrifices, achievements and
Congressmen Joe Crowley (D-NY) leadership. India's Sikh sons and
ARMED FORCES BY
and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), daughters have held the highest offices
and signed by over a hundred in the land and have served at the high-
MODERNIZING APPEARANCE
Members of Congress. est ranks including at Four Star ranks
In a statement following the letter's REGULATIONS THAT ALLOW in the Indian military. The tremendous
release, Ambassador Jaishankar said, progress and prosperity they have
THEM TO WEAR TURBANS
“The Congressional initiative is an achieved, and their enormous contri-
important step towards upholding the AND MAINTAIN BEARDS. bution to their motherland, speak vol-
cultural and religious rights of the umes about their indefatigable spirit of
Sikh community in the United States. enterprise and diligence.”
April 2014
India Review
Ambassador’s
ENGAGEMENTS
Photo album of Ambassador’s meetings
1 2
3
3 4
5 1. Ambassador Dr. S. Jaishankar with Congresswoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida on March 3.
2. Ambassador with Senator Chris Murphy of
Connecticut on March 5.
3. Ambassador with the CEOs of Indian companies in
the U.S. at a round table meeting of the CII India
Business Forum at the Embassy on March 27.
4. On March 28, the US welcomed an Indian delegation
to discuss India-U.S. relations with a specific focus on
East Asia. The Indian Delegation included MEA Joint
Secretaries Guatam Bambawale, Vikram Doraiswami,
Ambassador Dr. S. Jaishankar and DCM Taranjit Singh
Sandhu. The delegation was met on the U.S. side by
Assistant Secretary Russell, Assistant Secretary Biswal
and Admiral Lockler. (Photo: U.S. Department of State)
5. Ambassador Dr. S. Jaishankar meeting with House
Minority Whip, Congressman Steny Hoyer of
Maryland on March 30.
April 2014
India Review
Bilateral
EVENTS
India-US energy dialogue meeting
India and the United States affirm that both countries have a strong commitment to
collaborating on energy and promoting greater technological innovation
T
he India-U.S. Energy
Dialogue was held in New
Delhi on March 11. The
Dialogue was co-chaired by
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy
Chairman of the Planning
Commission, and Dr. Ernest Moniz,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy.
The Energy Dialogue is part of the
broader Indo-U.S. Strategic Dialogue.
The Energy Dialogue was launched in
May 2005 with the last meeting held in
September 2012 in Washington DC.
Secretary Moniz led the U.S. delega-
tion comprising of senior officials from
the Department of Energy and various
national laboratories.
At the end of the meeting, India and
the United States affirmed that both
countries had a strong commitment to
collaborating on energy and promoting
greater technological innovation, sci-
entific collaboration, trade, research
and development, deploying environ-
ment-friendly technologies and prod-
ucts, and promoting sound regulatory
frameworks to deliver energy solutions
Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia with Dr. Ernest Moniz, US
for sustainable growth. Energy Secretary during the meeting.
Officials from the two sides held
meetings from March 5 to March 11 agreed to significantly increase collab- co-chairs expressed satisfaction at the
and reviewed the full range of cooper- oration under the Partnership to progress made in the energy sector
ation under the U.S.–India Energy Advance Clean Energy (PACE) for through the co-operative process.
Dialogue. deployment, research and develop- They directed the members of the
The co-chairs of the dialogue, Dr. ments in clean energy. working groups to continue their
Ahluwalia, and Secretary Moniz dis- The PACE program has already efforts, especially in the newer areas of
cussed progress made by the working mobilized public and private resources mutual interest. Dr Ahluwalia briefed
groups in renewable energy and new to support clean energy research and the Secretary, Energy about the India
4 technologies, cooperation in shale gas, accelerate the deployment of clean Energy Security Scenarios, 2047 and
LNG imports, energy efficiency and energy technologies, policies and prac- presented him a copy of the document.
low carbon technologies. tices among others. The Planning Commission Deputy
The members from the U.S-India The India-U.S. Dialogue is an ongo- Chairman asked the U.S. side to study
virtual Joint Clean Energy Research ing program, and new initiatives such the hypotheses of this energy scenario-
and Development Center (JCERDC) as forecasting air conditioning building exercise, and welcomed any
also highlighted their progress in solar, demand, improving efficiency for comments on it.
advanced bio-fuels, and energy effi- space cooling and the PEACE The US Energy Secretary thanked
ciency research projects under PACE- (Promoting Energy Access through the Deputy Chairman for hosting the
R, a unique program for funding joint Clean Energy) initiative were launched U.S. energy team, and looked forward
research by Indian and US institutes. in 2013. to collaboration between the two
In the year 2009, the U.S. and India In their concluding remarks, the two countries.
April 2014
India Review
Bilateral
EVENTS
US-India business successes highlighted
Economic successes of three US corporations in India and three Indian companies in
the US were highlighted at an event organized on Capitol Hill
5
T
he Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) and the U.S.-
India Business Council
(USIBC) on March 27 host-
ed several members of Congress, busi-
ness executives, and friends of India
for a packed event, “Success Stories in
the U.S.-India Partnership” on Capitol
Hill. The event highlighted the eco-
nomic successes of three U.S. corpora-
tions in India and three Indian compa- Above: Seated from left: Madhu Vuppuluri, Chairman, CII India Business Forum USA and CEO, Essar
nies in the US. Americas; Rep Joe Crowley (NY), Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans;
Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ambassador of India to the US; Rep Pete Olson (TX); Ron Somers, President, USIBC
House India Caucus Co-chair
and Rep Ami Bera (CA). Below: A section of the audience
Representative Joseph Crowley (NY)
offered remarks along with Ambassador Jaishankar said he was that investment to go above $3 billion if
Congressmen Pete Olson (TX), Ami optimistic about the future of the state permits come through.
Bera (CA), and Rick Nolan (MN). India-U.S. partnership. He pointed out Mahindra recently celebrated the
Indian Ambassador to the US Dr. S. that trade investments have grown 20th anniversary of their U.S. opera-
Jaishankar delivered the keynote three times since 2005. tions. With investments in California,
address and Kapil Sharma, Senior The panel discussion featured Georgia, Kansas, Pennsylvania,
General Manager, Tata Sons moderat- Madhu Vuppuluri, CEO, Essar Tennessee and Texas, Mahindra has
ed a panel discussion with representa- Americas; Steve Biegun, Vice created 3000 jobs in the US.
tives from the featured corporations President, International Government Mahindra also has very successful
Essar Americas, Flex Films (USA), Affairs, Ford Motor Company; Mani corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Mahindra USA, Corning, Gilead, and Iyer, President, Mahindra USA; initiatives in universities and local com-
Ford Motor Company. Clifford Samuel, Vice President, munities.
Congressman Crowley opened with Access Operations and Emerging Gilead has collaborations with 15
praise of Ambassador Jaishankar’s Markets, Gilead; Pradeep Tyle, CEO, drug manufacturers in India with
tenure thus far in his new capacity and Flex Films (USA) Inc.; and Deb licenses to provide Gilead medicines in
with congratulations to the people of Waggoner, Director Global resource-constrained countries. Flex
India on the upcoming elections. Government Affairs, Corning. Films (USA) has operations in
“815 million people partaking in this Each of the panelists outlined the Kentucky to manufacture flexible
great democratic experiment is a mar- success story of their company and packaging and Tyle appreciated the
vel to behold. People from all walks of how it embodies the potential that effective streamlining of the permitting
life have a chance to shape the direc- exists within the partnership. processes from the state government.
tion of India and we wish India well in Essar has major investments in min- Corning just opened an optical fiber
this process,” the Congressman said. ing in Minnesota and is prepared for facility in Maharashtra.
April 2014
India Review
Embassy
EVENTS
Inauguration of painting exhibition ‘Akshara’
O
n March 22, the Gandhi
Memorial Center in
association with the
Embassy of India inau-
gurated an exhibition called Akshara
by Shanthi Chandrasekar.
Shanthi Chandrasekar has been
drawing and painting since early
childhood and recently has added
sculpting and Tanjore painting to
her creative repertoire. Many of her
works are influenced by her Indian
heritage, but her true inspiration
comes from the mystery and majesty
Shanthi Chandrasekar (artist) speaks about the inspiration behind her AKSHARA exhibition of paint-
of the world around her. Her muse
ings on the occasion of the exhibit inauguration at the Gandhi Memorial Center jointly presented
and her heart live where the scientif- with the Embassy of India on March 22. She spoke of her Tamil Nadu origins and surrounding com-
ic and spiritual overlap. munity of scientists from all over India and her lifelong interest in discovering the origin and devel-
opment of ancient and modern Indian scripts.
Best-known for the vibrancy of
her work, her artistry includes a
diverse media: oils, acrylics, colored
pencils, pen and ink, string, paper,
wood, clay, soapstone, and
alabaster. Shanthi is also well known
for her unique insight and creative
depiction of the confluence of sci-
ence and art.
Shanthi Chandrasekar’s works
have been displayed in various loca-
tions throughout the Washington
D.C. area. She has received numer-
ous awards for her paintings as well
as her sculptures. Shanthi is a teach-
ing artist with the Arts and
Humanities Council of Shanthi Chandrasekar (artist) lighting the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the Akshara painting exhi-
Montgomery County, Maryland. bition presented by the Gandhi Memorial Center and Embassy of India. Also seen are Srimati
Kamala, President and Carrie Trybulec, Director, Gandhi Memorial Center.
The exhibition is a collection of
paintings depicting the relation
between the sounds and symbols of Deputy Chief of Mission meets AAHOA President
the languages of South Asia.
In the exhibition, Shanthi tries to
investigate the shapes of the letters
6 in relation to the dominant culture Deputy Chief of
Mission Taranjit Singh
and its origins. She focuses on the
Sandhu with Fred
shapes of the letters of the alphabets Swartz, President of
rather than copying texts. She uses Asian American Hotel
Owners Association
vowels and consonants to represent
(AAHOA) during the
the dichotomy between the Shiva Association’s Annual
(male) and Shakthi (female) and Convention in
Philadelphia on March
the richness this combination brings
21.
about within the language. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On
This exhibition will remain on dis- Assignment)
play through the end of April.
April 2014
India Review
Consulate
EVENTS
CGI New YOrk
Monthly lecture series: Media India: 2014-15
7
Clockwise from left: (L-to R) Salman Rushdie, Suketu Mehta, Tunku Varadarajan and Amb. Dyaneshwar M Mulay; Suketu Mehta; Tunku Varadarajan and a
section of the audience during the event at Consulate General of India, New York.
O
n the evening of March duce the diversity an vibrancy of Graduate School of Journalism. In
21, the Consulate Indian states. the ensuing question and answer ses-
General of India, New The distinguished speaker Mr sion, a good number of questions
York kicked off Media Suketu Mehta, author and thinker were answered by Mehta.
India: 2014-15 — a monthly lecture- who is working with Arthur L. Carter The event was attended by
series — at the Consulate’s ball- Journalism Institute, New York renowned author Salman Rushdie;
room. Consul General of India in University talked on India & US: Digambar Bhouraskar, former
New York. Traffic of Ideas. Director of United Nations and
Ambassador Dyaneshwar M. Mulay In his presentation, Mehta praised writer of United Nations’
in his opening remarks said that these centuries old traditions in India of Development Aid: A Study in History
conversations were aimed at dis- debate and discourse and India’s and Politics; Kaydor Aukatsang, rep-
cussing India’s global image, identity, continued long democratic tradition. resentative of His Holiness the Dalai
aspirations, role and projection and Mehta also explained that in Lama for North America along with
related themes aimed at mainstream today’s world there need not be ‘one many educationists and students
media, university students, youth and home’ as there is more human mobil- from New York University, PACE
second generation Indian Americans. ity than ever. University, Queens College whose
The Consul General highlighted The event was moderated by participation during the Question-
other initiatives like “State-by-State” Tunku Varadarajan, Professor at the Answer-session made the session
being taken by the Consulate to intro- City University of New York’s lively and informative.
April 2014
India Review
Consulate
EVENTS
Community reception for Ambassador
I
n the evening of March 12, the
Consulate General of India, New
York; GOPIO International and
Community Reception
Committee hosted a community recep-
tion at the Consulate’s ball-room for
Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s Ambassador
to the USA, and Mrs. Kyoko
Jaishankar. A large number of the
members of Indian community from
New York and the tri-state area attend-
ed the reception.
Consul General, Amb. Dnyaneshwar
M. Mulay welcomed the guests and
introduced Ambassador Dr. Jaishankar
to the audience.
The newly-elected assemblyman of
New Jersey state assembly Raj
Mukherjee welcomed the Ambassador.
The New Jersey assemblyman and
Deputy Speaker Upendra Chivkula
also expressed happiness over
The Consulate General of India, New York hosted a community reception for Ambassador
Ambassador’ visit to the region. Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Mrs. Kyoko Jaishankar.
Ashook Ramsaran, President of
GOPIO International also addressed tions towards India-US relations. He American community towards India’s
the gathering. talked about the achievements of vari- social and economic development.
Ambassador Jaishankar during his ous Indian American in numerous Ambassador Jaishankar thanked the
remarks thanked the Indian-American fields in the US. He also appreciated Consulate and the Indian community
community for its invaluable contribu- the contribution of the Indian for hosting him.
CGI HOustON
‘Connect India & usA’
On March 18, the Consulate General of India,
New York organized a presentation titled
“Connect India & USA in 2014” at the con-
sulate’s ball-room. The focus of the presentation was
the development of business relations between India
and the USA. CG Amb. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay in
his opening remarks emphasized the need for better
8 connection between the two countries. He also invit-
ed young members of Indian-American as well as
American community to work together for building
co-operative relationships and partnerships.
Keith Zendler, CEO & Founder of The Cspace,
Michigan outlined his efforts to connect India and
USA through his innovative idea and technology
available to the users on this web-space Cspace.
Govind S. Sovale illustrated the technology. Ms Above: Above: Consul General P Harish attended as Guest of Honor for Sabbath
Shyamala Desai associated with the NGO PREM Worship Service in the tradition of the Jews of India conducted by Houston
Congregation for Reform Judaism on February 21. Right: Consul General P Harish
briefed about the organizations who have already
meeting with US Congressman Blake Farenthold (R-TX:27th District) during his
joined the initiative. visit to Corpus Christi on March 19. .
April 2014
India Review
Consulate
EVENTS
CGI CHICAGO
CG meets Congressman Peter roskam
C
onsul General Dr. Ausaf
Sayeed, had a meeting with
Congressman Peter Roskam
(R-IL) in his office in West 9
Chicago on March 10. The discussions
between the two sides covered areas
like strengthening bilateral relations
between India and the US in the fields
of economy trade, commerce and
investments. Roskam showed deep
interest in various facets of India,
including economy and the forthcom-
ing Parliamentary elections and fondly
recalled his last visit to Bengaluru.
Peter Roskam is the co-chair of the
Congressional Caucus of India and
Indian Americans for the 113th
Congress. Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed with Congressman Mr Peter Roskam (R-IL)
CG joins Parsi Open House session at the consulate
community during
Navroz festival
Consul General Dr. Ausaf
Sayeed joined the
Consul General’s Open House session with Indian and Indian-American community
Zoroastrian (Parsi) commu-
nity in Chicago in the celebrations of An interactive ‘Open House’ ses- The Consul General and senior
Navroz festival at the invitation sion was organized by the diplomats were present during this
Zoroastrian Association of Consulate with members of the interactive session.
Metropolitan Chicago. The Consul Indian and Indian-American commu- A number of outstanding issues on
General lauded the numerous nity on February 1 at the premises of community welfare, trade and con-
achievements of the Parsi community the Consulate General of India, sular activities were discussed during
in India in various fields. Chicago. the session.
April 2014
India Review
Consulate
EVENTS
CG addresses ‘Connect India’ event
C
onsul General Dr. Ausaf trade, bilateral relation between India Commerce and other Indian-
Sayeed delivered the and US with a special focus on American businessmen of Minnesota
keynote address at the Minnesota and diaspora’s role in during his visit. The Consul General
‘Connect India’ event enhancing economy of both the also addressed a Town Hall meeting
organized by the India Association of nations. at the Hindu temple organized by the
Minnesota (IAM) on March 22. The Consul General also interacted Hindu Society of Minnesota
The Consul General’s speech with Sean Nelipinath, Chairman and (HSMN) and interacted with the
focused primarily on international CEO of the India Chamber of Indian expatriate community.
Midwest trade Ambassador meets editorial
delegation visits India board of The Chicago Tribune
for Medical Fair Ambassador Dr. S. Jaishankar along with Consul General
and other officials attended an interactive session with
Illinois’s Department of Commerce and members of the editorial board of The Chicago Tribune.
Economic Opportunity sent delegation to par- The Ambassador touched upon a wide gamut of issues ranging
10 ticipate in the Medical Fair that was held in from foreign policy to trade and economic affairs of India dur-
Mumbai, India from March 14-16. ing the discussion. The Chicago Tribune congratulated India
Medical Fair India is India’s premier trade fair for on complete eradication of polio from the country.
hospitals, health centers and clinics.
The healthcare market in India is among the most
CG speaks on foreign policy at UIC
flourishing service sectors of the Indian subconti-
nent and has been the focus of both private and gov-
ernmental entities. Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed addressed the students
Held annually, alternating between New Delhi and at University of Illinois Chicago as part of Allan Learner
Mumbai, the Medical Fair provides a good platform Lecture series on foreign policy organized by
to tap the enormous opportunities in the Indian International Affairs Department of Political Science in
healthcare market. University of Illinois Chicago on March 6.
April 2014
India Review