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The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) congratulates the governments of India and the United Kingdom on finalizing a landmark free trade agreement. This milestone reflects a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties and fostering inclusive growth.
While speaking at the US-India Economic Forum organised by the USISPF and CII in Washington DC, Governor Malhotra said, “Amid the uncertainties faced by major global economies due to tariff-related risks, India offers a strong growth and stability to investors looking for long-term value and opportunity”. He exhorted the US industry to invest in India, stressing that the country continues to be the fastest growing major economy supported by policy consistency and certainty.
The success of 50th Vice President James David (JD) Vance’s maiden visit to India was unfortunately eclipsed by the somber mood of Tuesday’s terror attacks that left innocent tourists dead and several wounded and shattered the tranquility of idyllic Kashmir.
The ongoing US-India negotiations aim for the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement by fall 2025.
India and the US are making progress in negotiating a bilateral trade deal after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US Vice President JD Vance in Delhi.
On the US- India trade pact, Dr Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, said that India has an opportunity to grab the vacuum.
Previous trade negotiator with India says lowering tariffs, balancing trade deficit, and agricultural market access key for a US-India deal
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum held a briefing on Capitol Hill with Members of Congress to discuss enhancing the U.S.-India relationship in defense, trade, and technology. USISPF President Dr. Mukesh Aghi and Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra highlighted the importance of this strategic partnership and its ambitious agenda.
No country’s exporters favour new tariffs and there can be real impacts, especially for price-sensitive sectors that face plenty of competition in global markets, Linscott said
Trump Tariff Chaos! US President Donald Trump slaps tariffs on Canada and Mexico and then presses pause. Will India be able to avert the Trump tariff threat? Watch Global Eye as Former Assistant USTR & Senior Adviser USISPF Mark Linscott speaks to Parikshit Luthra.
NDTV’s Maha Siddiqui speaks with CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, Mukesh Aghi, on US-India Trade deal talks that have started after Piyush Goyal’s US visit.
Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President & CEO, USISPF, speaks with Rahul Kanwal on IndiaToday about the key takeaways from PM meeting with the President and the road ahead for U.S.-India bilateral ties.
USISPF noted that PM Modi is the fourth world leader that Trump met in his first month in office, which showcases the importance and heft of the bilateral relationship
Sunday, February 16, 2025 | Washington D.C.
USISPF congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald J Trump for the substantive outcomes achieved in their first meeting in President Trump’s second term. Prime Minister Modi is the fourth world leader that President Trump met in his first month in office, which showcases the importance and heft of the bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump may focus on a range of issues, including greater market access, a potential trade agreement, buying more defence and energy products, and ramping up investments from America, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mukesh Aghi said.
Jack has held the position of Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation since 2014. Before being elected Senior Vice President, he previously served as the Executive Vice President of ExxonMobil Production Company.
Investors expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come back to power and they also have confidence in the reform and business-oriented government, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) president and chief executive officer Mukesh Aghi has said.
“Everybody also feels that this time, the elections are more predictable. And that predictable results sends investors coming to India more and more because they feel that the current government is very reform-oriented, is very business-oriented,” the head of the top US-based India-centric business and strategic group told Moneycontrol.
As many as 96 seats are being voting for in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13. The final and the seventh round of voting will be held on June 1 and votes counted on June 4.
There never has been a dispute over power transition in India once results are declared. “So, you will see the momentum (in investments) picking up regardless of whoever comes in, but at this moment, everybody thinks that Prime Minister Modi will come back,” Aghi said.
Indian elections have become a point of interest not only in the US but also in the rest of the world due to the high voter turnout of 65-70 percent compared to the US’ 50 percent, Aghi said. The high volume of voters is also impressive.
“I think everybody looks at India’s election as a role model and so they feel that India is a good place to invest,” Aghi said.
From one election to the other, Aghi said regardless of whether President Joe Biden secures another term or his predecessor, Donald Trump, returns, the impact on the US-India relationship would be marginal.
“Regardless of who comes in, the relationship between the two countries will steadily be positive and move in the right direction,” he said.
Immigration Reforms
Speaking on immigration reforms, Aghi said the US Congress has to improve processes, so that the world’s largest economy can attract more quality talent. He added the US embassy and the state department are deploying more resources, so that the wait time for visa appointments can be reduced to 30 days from over 200 days.
His remarks come amid concerns over growing waiting time for visa and its adverse impact on talent acquisition. The US embassy issued a record one million visas by March-end in the last 12 months, signalling a positive development in visa processing.
“They’re trying to put in more resources that keep on improving… so these guys are really working hard,” Aghi said.
He also highlighted that the reforms are vital for the US in addressing the shortage of nearly a million software engineers and fulfilling the demand for talent in high-tech sectors.
To attract top-tier talent, Aghi underscored the significance of streamlining visa processes, particularly for Indian IT professionals reliant on H1B visas.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to recruit overseas workers that allows US companies to hire professionals for jobs that require technical expertise.
IT chiefs on board
Aghi said the recent inclusion of senior executives of IT service companies on the USISPF board is aimed at synergy between American and Indian firms.
Infosys Chief Executive Officer Salil Parekh and his Cognizant counterpart, S Ravi Kumar, joined the USISPF board this year.
“The reason we brought in two large services companies is because both are large exporters of services and human talent to the rest of the world,” Aghi said. “You’ll see more board members coming in from that perspective
