On sidelines of World Food India, USISPF Hosts Dialogue on Agriculture & Food Security with new USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney and Ramesh Chand, Member-Agriculture, Niti Aayog

New Delhi, November 7, 2017: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum hosted a high-level Dialogue on the sidelines of the World Food India meet to kick-start intensive engagement between both the US & Indian governments and the industry in both countries. Co-Chaired by Prof.Ramesh Chand, Member of the NITI Aayog and USDA’s new Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Mr.Ted McKinney who is on his first visit to India in this new role. The U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) has led a trade mission to India that included American businesses, focused agri-trade associations, and US State Government leaders, all of whom are seeking opportunities for innovative partnerships with India.

The dialogue was an effort by USISPF to convene key stakeholders to initiate a candid conversation on the untapped potential for closer collaboration between the US and India. Some of the topics during today’s meeting included: sharing of global best practices on agri-extension reforms, leveraging ag-tech for last mile development, and creating a conducive ecosystem to fund innovation in agribusiness.

Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President of USISPF, said, “Indian agriculture has come a long way from its earlier image of being traditional, subsistence and non-commercial. With increasing demand for high-quality value-added products, agriculture has been adopting commercially and economically viable agribusiness solutions. Today, there lies immense potential where the U.S. & India can work together to create an ecosystem backed by technology to tap the potential of growth in agronomy.” He also commended Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal for her efforts on creating a global platform like World Food India, and the opportunity it has created for stakeholders and business leaders to converge in Delhi.

USISPF also hosted Minister Suresh Prabhu, India’s Minister of Commerce at a roundtable last week following the Minister’s visit and discussions with USTR Ambassador Lightheizer during the Trade Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. Today’s roundtable in New Delhi served as a follow up to identify key areas where the government and private sector can work together to find creative solutions to challenges in the agri sector and to identify key benchmarks between the two countries to contribute to the benefit of farmers and consumers in both countries.

USISPF has carefully selected the most well-regarded, global Board of Directors for India related matters. These members serve as both prominent business leaders and global influencers with an ability to impact international relations and corporate affairs worldwide. While promoting trade is an important pillar of the organization’s work, it also focuses on promoting job creation, inclusion, start-ups, innovation, and education. USISPF works to create the most powerful strategic relationship between the United States and India, and believes this can be achieved by business and government coming together to create meaningful opportunities that have the power to change the lives of citizens.

As champions of the U.S.-India commercial and strategic partnership, we believe there is an unprecedented opportunity for business communities in both countries to play a larger role in the next chapter of this important bilateral partnership. USISPF is uniquely suited to work together with leaders in the United States and India to achieve our shared goals. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USISPF has offices in New York, Silicon Valley, Mumbai, and New Delhi.