A Publication of the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C.
July 1, 2013
I India RevieI w Vol. 9 Issue 7 www.indianembassy.org
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid with U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry during the latter’s visit to India for the 4 th India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, in New Delhi on June 24. India-US: Expanding horizons of bilateral cooperation
n India, U.S. add n Fact sheets on n Third India-U.S. strategic depth to India-U.S. relations Higher Education bilateral partnership released Dialogue concludes Ambassador’s PAGE India ready to discuss patent policies with US lawmakers: Ambassador Rao Following is the text of a letter sent by Ambassador Nirupama Rao to members of the House India Caucus and Senate India Caucus on India’s Intellectual property regime on June 20, 2013
s a member of the Senate ed to pharmaceutical products are vation but to ensure a fair balance India Caucus you have fair and unbiased. The Act does not between the interests of innovators always been a staunch advo - discriminate between Indian nation - and the urgent needs of public health A cate of strong India-U.S. als and others. in a country with a population of over relations and our strategic partnership. There is also much interest in India’s one billion. We are deeply appreciative of your use of Compulsory Licensing. It is I believe we share a common objec - commitment to further the cause of important to understand the legal and tive of strengthening the India-U.S. friendship between our countries. public health context of such licensing. Strategic Partnership including In recent days, concerns have been I wish to reaffirm that the provisions of importantly, through deepening raised by members of the U.S. the Compulsory License enshrined in mutually beneficial trade and com - Congress on India’s commitments the India Patent Act are in accordance mercial engagement. The strategic regarding intellectual property protec - with the provisions of the TRIPs partnership between our two coun - tion. I felt that I should write to you to Agreement and the Paris Convention. tries must be viewed holistically, and explain the Government of India’s on the basis of the enormous stakes approach to the issue. India has a well-set - that both our countries have in ensur - India has a well-settled, stable and tled, stable and robust ing that the gains and the progress robust intellectual property regime. that we have achieved in building a The three main pillars of this regime intellectual property regime. defining relationship for the 21 st cen - are comprehensive laws, detailed The three main pillars of this tury are not seen through any prism rules to back them up, and strong regime are comprehensive that sacrifices long-term interests for enforcement mechanisms, including laws, detailed rules to back the short-term. for dispute resolution. In India, the IP Both U.S. and Indian businesses framework is rooted in law. The full them up, and strong enforce - and investments in each other’s complement of our laws on patents, ment mechanisms, including economies would stand only to benefit designs, trademarks and geographi - for dispute resolution. from taking a long-term strategic view cal indications is in place and these — Ambassador Nirupama Rao of this relationship. My Government are in compliance with the Trade stands prepared to resolve issues that Related Intellectual Property Rights Through such licensing mecha - arise in the trade and industry domain (TRIPs) of WTO. The India Patents nisms, all Governments balance the between our two countries in a spirit Act specifically, is one of the most rights of the patent holder with their of mutual understanding and friend - comprehensive acts, and is rigorously obligations to ensure the validity of ship, always safeguarding the interests enforced. The award of patents is a patents, availability of the products at of our long-term bilateral and strategic transparent legal process with deci - a reasonable price, and protection of partnership. sions and processes subject to legal public health and nutrition. Since its In our endeavor to meet this goal, I 2 scrutiny. inception, Compulsory Licensing has would welcome the opportunity to It is understood that the highest been an integral part of the patent engage with you further on these share (20-30 percent) of all patents regime of different countries. issues and to share our perspectives. granted in India has gone to U.S. Globally, 15 different countries, My senior colleagues at the Embassy nationals and corporations. And, of developed and developing alike, have stand prepared to come and meet all the patents granted for pharma - issued more than 35 compulsory with your key officials or your con - ceutical inventions between 2005 and licenses. stituents to engage in a friendly and 2011, more than 85 percent were India has issued only one substantive exchange of views so as to owned by foreign companies in India. Compulsory License. The provisions promote deeper understanding, and This trend would show that the provi - for Compulsory Licensing are not to seek mutually satisfactory solu - sions of the Indian Patents Act relat - meant to hamper the process of inno - tions, in a spirit of friendship.
July 2013 India Review India-US NEWS India, US for close interaction between legal agencies ndia and the U.S. have agreed that their legal agencies associ - ated with the enforcement of I competition law would interact 3 closely as envisaged under the frame - work of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signed in September 2012. India’s Minister for Corporate Affairs Sachin Pilot reviewed the MoU signed jointly by his ministry and Competition Commission of India (CCI) with the U.S. Department of India’s Minister for Corporate Affairs Sachin Pilot at a meeting with U.S. Federal Trade Commission Justice and Federal Trade Commission Chairperson Edith Ramirez in Washington, D.C. on June 13. (FTC) with FTC Chairperson Edith Ramirez in Washington, DC. ness generation of the competition leg - make the best of the good work that Minister Pilot also suggested at the islation and the forthcoming competi - is being done. meeting on June 13 that officials of tion policy, among the legal practition - Minister Pilot met with a team from FTC and Ministry of Corporate Affairs ers and judicial bodies of both coun - the International Finance Corporation (MCA) identify a few specific activities tries, he suggested. (IFC) led by Saadia Khairi, Vice for cooperation and joint action prior Later, presiding over the renewal of President, Risk Management and to Ramirez’s visit to India in October. an MoU between the IICA and the Reporting, on June 14. The discus - The Indian Institute of Corporate George Washington University Law sions covered a broad range of topics Affairs (IICA) could cooperate with the School, the Corporate Affairs relating to business environment in FTC in capacity building and aware - Minister said their collaboration must India, among other issues. Ambassador’s Engagement Ambassador Rao brings India closer to Utah ith a view to promoting At a luncheon meeting hosted joint - exchanges between India and ly by the Salt Lake Chamber of WUtah, an important state in Commerce, the World Trade Centre of the western part of the U.S., Utah and the U.S. International Trade Ambassador Nirupama Rao visited the and Diplomacy Office in Utah, state from June 13-14. Ambassador Rao interacted with the Ambassador Rao called on Lt. prominent business leaders of the state. Governor of Utah, Gregory S. Bell at Stressing the need for increased coop - the State Capitol in Salt Lake City. She eration in R & D and investment diver - also had meetings with Dr. Cecil O. sification, the Ambassador emphasized Samuelson, President of Brigham the need for further improving business Young University (BYU) and Dr. ties as part of the ongoing strategic Sandra Rogers, International Vice partnership between India and the US. President of BYU, and addressed facul - Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Dr. Cecil O. During her meeting with Governor ty and students at the BYU at Provo. Samuelson, President of Brigham Young Bell, Ambassador Rao invited the Utah University on June 14. Ambassador Rao visited the Sikh state to explore collaborative avenues Temple of Utah in Salt Lake City and with the Indian American community, with Indian educational institutions, the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in who also hosted a felicitation ceremony especially through the University of South Jordan where she interacted for the Ambassador at the ICC. Utah and BYU.
July 2013 India Review 4th INDIA-U.S. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE Cover STORY
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid with U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry at a joint press interaction in New Delhi on June 24. India-US : Expanding horizons of bilateral cooperation Characterized by ‘convergence and candor’, the Fourth India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue emphasized on new areas such as energy, while intensifying cooperation in health, science and technology, education, space, defense and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
he fourth India-U.S. ence after the Dialogue. Security, eco - bilateral economic ties. The last Strategic Dialogue co- nomics and technology; regional strate - round of talks was held in June 2012. chaired by India’s External gic and political issues; and global Secretary Kerry said that India and T Affairs Minister Salman issues were the key strategic issues dis - the U.S. were committed to “fully Khurshid and U.S. Secretary of State cussed in the Dialogue, he said. implement” the civil nuclear deal and John Kerry in New Delhi on June 24 Secretary Kerry’s visit, the first to that U.S.’ Westinghouse Electric and underscored the expansion of horizons India since taking over in February, Nuclear Power Corporation of India in the bilateral cooperation and trans - also saw the two sides discuss boosting Ltd. (NPCIL) were to arrive at a com - 4 formation of the bilateral strategic business and defense ties and imple - mon agreement “by September this partnership into a global one. The two menting the Indo-U.S. civil nuclear year” for the first U.S. reactor in India. leaders expressed appreciation for the deal. He noted that India-U.S. eco - Addressing the media in Hyderabad success of the two countries in leverag - nomic cooperation had grown five-fold House after the fourth round of the ing their respective areas of compara - in the past five years and was poised to Strategic Dialogue, Secretary Kerry tive advantage to jointly assist other surpass $100 billion. “We can do even said the significant representation on partner countries across the globe. more, we can break down trade and his team, which included Energy “We are delighted to be developing investment barriers,” he said. Secretary Ernest Moniz, was a reflec - an increasingly global dimension to the Both sides also discussed the tion of the high importance the U.S. India-U.S. strategic partnership,” EAM Bilateral Investment Protection placed on its ties with India. Khurshid said at a joint press confer - Agreements (BIPA), aimed to deepen On U.S.’ proposed talks with
July 2013 India Review Cover STORY
Taliban, which India has said should be “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned”, the Secretary of State said that the U.S. would “consult very closely with India and with others in the region”. He said that the U.S. would proceed with the talks only if it is an Afghan-led process and the negotiations would be led by the Afghan High Peace Council. External Affairs Minister Khurshid said the U.S. Secretary of State had 5 assured that “none of the concerns of India will be overlooked” in the talks. Additionally, the two sides agreed to enhance the existing India-U.S. Global Climate Change Dialogue, and identify opportunities for further and significant bilateral cooperation.
Excerpts from External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s state - ment at the joint press conference th U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New following the 4 India-U.S. Delhi on June 24. Strategic Dialogue: “We have just completed detailed dis - increasingly global dimension to the conversation with Afghanistan. cussions covering key strategic pillars India-U.S. strategic partnership. A number of important visits and of our relationship, namely: security, Today, at the conclusion of this dialogue processes are scheduled economics and technology; regional fourth round of our Strategic over the next several months, includ - strategic and political issues; and Dialogue, we can take satisfaction in ing the Ministerial Energy Dialogue global issues. Our discussions were the fact that within the few years since and the CEO’s Forum, both of which truly characterized by convergence we raised our relationship to a strate - are coordinated on our side by and candor. gic footing, our bilateral dialogue is Deputy Chairman of the Planning Secretary Kerry was positive in his wide-ranging to the extent of taking Commission. assessment of our strategic partner - on an all-of-Government character. In participating in special events cel - ship, and generous in his appraisal of To put that in perspective, we have ebrating our partnership in green and the potential future of our relationship. exchanged as many as 112 senior offi - affordable innovation, and in co-chair - It is a perspective my colleagues and I cial and high-level visits in the year ing the Higher Education Dialogue fully share. This shared perspective is 2012. Exchanges in the current year with our Human Resource reflected in our Joint Statement, and continue to be equally intense and Development Minister, the Secretary in the Fact Sheets drafted by officials wide-ranging, with over 47 official vis - has highlighted the significance of on both sides, which will be made its already exchanged covering con - innovation and education as pillars of available to you shortly. versations ranging from Homeland this strategic relationship. I want to Today, we are expanding our bilat - Security to Education; from Space to particularly thank him for this, as there eral cooperation to new horizons, Energy; and from our Trilateral has otherwise been too little said about such as energy, while intensifying dialogue with Japan to a Trilateral these very vital aspects of our partner - existing avenues of cooperation in ship which exercise an important health, science and technology, edu - impact on the lives of our people. cation, space, defense and the peace - India-U.S. discussion I want to thank our distinguished ful uses of nuclear energy. At the visitors for their presence here in same time, we are very satisfied with focused on boosting India. We deeply appreciate their the ongoing pace of our political dia - business and defense commitment to this partnership, and logues, which have enabled us to ties, and implementing their substantive contributions during intensify bilateral consultations on our dialogue. We hope to continue to key issues in our region and beyond, the Indo-U.S. civil build on the good work done so far, including in the larger Asian context. nuclear deal in expanding the horizons of the We are delighted to be developing an India-U.S. relationship.”
July 2013 India Review 4th INDIA-U.S. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE Joint STATEMENT India, US add strategic depth to bilateral partnership Affirming their shared vision for peace and stability in Asia and other parts of the world, the two sides reiterated their commitment to facilitating greater two-way trade and investment, including with respect to goods, services, and skilled professionals
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry at the delegation level talks in New Delhi on June 24.
xternal Affairs Minister of Command, Director John Holdren of Singh Ahluwalia; Adviser to the India Salman Khurshid and the White House Office of Science & Prime Minister on Public U.S. Secretary of State John Technology Policy, National Information, Infrastructure and E F Kerry met in New Delhi Aeronautics and Space Administrator Innovation Sam Pitroda; Foreign and co-chaired the fourth India-U.S. Charles Bolden, U.S. Agency for Secretary Ranjan Mathai; Home Strategic Dialogue on June 24. International Development Secretary R.K. Singh; Secretary, 6 During their first meeting, they Administrator Rajiv Shah, Export- Department of Science & Technology reviewed the extensive transformation Import Bank Chairman Fred T. Ramasami; Secretary, Department of the bilateral relationship and iden - Hochberg, U.S. Trade & of Space, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan; tified key sectors of cooperation that Development Agency Director Secretary, Department of Higher will continue to add strategic depth to Leocadia Zak, and senior officials Education Ashok Thakur and the partnership. from the Departments of Justice and Ambassador Nirupama Rao. Secretary Kerry was accompanied Homeland Security, and Overseas at the Strategic Dialogue by Private Investment Corporation. Regional strategic consultations Ambassador Nancy Powell Energy External Affairs Minister Khurshid Reaffirming their shared vision for Secretary Ernest Moniz, Admiral was joined by Deputy Chairman of peace and stability in Asia and in the Samuel Locklear of the U.S. Pacific the Planning Commission Montek Indian and Pacific Oceans, the
July 2013 India Review Joint STATEMENT
United States and India underscored their continued support for enhanc - ing regional connectivity, as well as for the continued intensification of India-U.S. engagement through existing regional dialogue mecha - nisms, including the East Asia Summit process, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus. The 7 two sides expressed their commit - ment to continue to consult closely on issues relating to the region both bilaterally and trilaterally, including in the India-U.S.-Japan format, which has had four successful meetings. The United States and India reaf - firmed the importance of maritime security, unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation, and the EAM Khurshid with Secretary Kerry at the joint press interaction after the 4 th India-U.S. Strategic peaceful resolution of maritime dis - Dialogue in New Delhi on June 24. putes in accordance with internation - al law. India welcomed the entry of The leaders acknowledged that ence and technology have become the United States to the Indian success in Afghanistan requires, in important aspects of the relationship. Ocean Rim Association for Regional addition to building up Afghanistan’s They welcomed the fact that defense Cooperation (IOR-ARC) as a capacity to defend itself, an Afghan- trade had reached nearly $9 billion, Dialogue Partner in November 2012, led and Afghan-owned reconciliation and that U.S. and Indian military and the United States welcomed process. They agreed that the process forces were continuing their profes - India’s Observer status to the Arctic should preserve the historic political, sional exchanges, including through Council in May 2013. economic and social progress made regular military training exercises, Minister Khurshid and Secretary over the past decade. like the Army series YUDH ABHYAS, Kerry called for sustained commit - The two leaders also reiterated the which took place in May, and the ment and support of the internation - importance of taking concrete steps naval series MALABAR, planned for al community for a stable, democrat - to promote expanded private invest - later this year. They welcomed the ic, united, sovereign and prosperous ment and trade in Afghanistan. delivery of the first P-8I Poseidon for Afghanistan. The United States and the Indian Navy in May and the first India each reiterated their enduring Security and strategic partnership C-17 Globemaster III for the Indian commitments to support the Afghan The two co-chairs recognized that Air Force in June. Minister Khurshid Government and all people of defense, counterterrorism, and sci - and Secretary Kerry also acknowl - Afghanistan through the transition edged the efforts that the United process and beyond, in accordance States and India are making to trans - with their respective Strategic Minister Khurshid and form defense ties beyond buyer-seller Partnership Agreements. The two Secretary Kerry called relationships and to pursue opportu - leaders emphasized the importance nities for technological cooperation of ensuring that the international for sustained for co-development and co-produc - community continues to support free, commitment and tion of defense equipment. fair, transparent and inclusive support of the interna - Recognizing the shared challenges Presidential and Provincial Council that democratic societies such as the elections in Afghanistan in 2014. tional community for a United States and India face from They emphasized the need for con - stable, democratic, terrorist groups, as well as the grave tinued efforts to enhance the capacity united, sovereign and dangers posed by violent extremism, of the Afghan National Security Minister Khurshid and Secretary Forces and sustain the socio-eco - prosperous Afghanistan Kerry welcomed the convening of the nomic development of Afghanistan. second Homeland Security Dialogue
July 2013 India Review 4th INDIA-U.S. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE Joint STATEMENT
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry interacts with young Indian leaders at a program at Lodi Gardens in New Delhi, on June 24. (Photo: U.S. Department of State)
in Washington, May 2013. They reit - November 2008, including through enhancement of existing dialogues to erated the importance of closer coop - continued exchanges of information a formal India-U.S. Working Group eration and development of more between designated agencies to aid on mutual legal assistance and extra - intensive partnerships between the investigations and trials relating to dition, acknowledging the impor - two countries in megacity policing, that attack. tance of continuing to find effective cyber security, global supply chain Minister Khurshid and Secretary and efficient mechanisms to cooper - and transportation security, combat - Kerry emphasized the need for the ate on our shared commitment in law ing counterfeit currency and illicit United States and India to develop enforcement. financial flows, training of law stronger partnerships on cyber-secu - Minister Khurshid and Secretary enforcement agencies, and identify - rity, including through the next itera - Kerry recognized the very successful ing products and technologies that tions of the Cyber Security partnership being built, through the support law enforcement. They also Consultations, the Strategic Cyber Strategic Security Dialogue, on 8 stressed the need for concerted Policy Dialogue, and the Information issues related to non-proliferation efforts to address the challenge of ter - and Communications Technology and international security. They rorism in the region, including the Working Group. Secretary Kerry and reviewed the close cooperation of the dismantling of terrorist safe havens Minister Khurshid reaffirmed the United States and India to realize and disrupting all financial and tacti - intent of U.S. and Indian law India’s intention of joining the cal support for terrorism, and enforcement agencies to develop Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the through strengthened cooperation in closer partnerships critical to the Missile Technology Control Regime the Global Counterterrorism Forum. shared objectives of countering (MTCR), the Wassenaar The two leaders reiterated their com - transnational crime and terrorist Arrangement and the Australia mitment to continue their coopera - threats that impact both countries. To Group. Secretary Kerry reaffirmed tion on the Mumbai terror attack in that end, both leaders welcomed the the United States’ support for India’s
July 2013 India Review Joint STATEMENT full membership in these groups. The high-level discussions and coopera - tionship. Together, India and the United States also welcomed India’s tion on cyber security and internet United States are using science and March 2013 update to the Special governance through various mecha - technology to tackle global cross-cut - Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, nisms including the Cybersecurity ting issues such as climate change, Equipment, and Technology Consultations and the Strategic disease mitigation, water resources, (SCOMET) list. Cyber Policy Dialogue. and clean energy. Both countries The two sides welcomed the facilitate leading edge research and Strategic partnership in increased cooperation and communi - are building public-private partner - commerce, S&T, education, and cation between U.S. antitrust agen - ships that support technology-based energy cies and Indian competition agencies innovation and entrepreneurship. Growing trade and investment contin - that help ensure markets are open India and the United States look for - 9 ue to drive the India-U.S. partnership and competitive. In September 2012, ward to the next Joint Commission forward, and bilateral trade in goods the U.S. Department of Justice and Meeting in 2014 to plan, coordinate, and services has reached close to $100 the Federal Trade Commission and and provide strategic guidance to billion. The two sides welcomed the the Indian Ministry of Corporate help advance our mutual science and adoption of new regulations regarding Affairs and Competition Commission technology endeavors. foreign investment ceilings in several of India signed a Memorandum of The two delegations discussed the sectors of the Indian economy, and the Understanding on Antitrust critical importance of energy to sus - creation of new Cabinet-level mecha - Cooperation to promote technical taining economic growth and secur - nisms to expedite investment in India’s cooperation and consultations on ing prosperity, and acknowledged the infrastructure. The co-chairs support - matters of competition policy and robust and full range of cooperation ed increased investment in mutually- enforcement. under the India-U.S. Energy rewarding opportunities in their vast Minister Khurshid and Secretary Dialogue, co-chaired by the and growing markets. The two sides Kerry welcomed the continuation of Secretary of the U.S. Department of will resume negotiations to conclude a discussions under the Commercial Energy and the Deputy Chairman of Bilateral Investment Treaty/Bilateral Dialogue on standards cooperation India’s Planning Commission. India Investment Promotion and Protection and the expected launch of discus - and the United States plan to contin - Agreement as soon as India’s revised sions on sustainable manufacturing. ue their ongoing efforts to expand model BIPPA text is ready. Minister Khurshid reiterated India’s partnerships in clean energy and Both governments reiterated their willingness to host the next meeting energy efficiency through the India- commitment to facilitating greater of the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in U.S. Partnership to Advance Clean two-way trade and investment, India on mutually convenient dates Energy (PACE) and under the multi - including with respect to goods, serv - and have a comprehensive engage - lateral Clean Energy Ministerial. ices, and skilled professionals. Both ment on the full range of issues under Since 2009, PACE - Deployment has governments also re-affirmed their the TPF. mobilized approximately $2 billion in commitment to strengthening the The two leaders recognized that clean energy financing to India and innovation climate in each country as India and the United States enjoy PACE – Research has created innova - a means of promoting economic ever expanding bilateral cooperation tive public-private consortia through growth and other legitimate domestic in our science and technology rela - the $125 million Joint Clean Energy and trade policy objectives. Noting Research & Development Centre. the importance of technology to both They noted the decision taken to cre - economies, India and the United The two delegations ate a new Sustainable Growth States discussed their cooperation discussed the critical Working Group under the India-U.S. under the Information and importance of energy to Energy Dialogue, and the growth of Communications Technology (ICT) U.S. investment in India’s energy Working Group and reaffirmed plans sustaining economic sector. India and the United States for a follow on ICT Working Group growth and securing welcomed additional efforts aimed at Meeting in Washington this year. prosperity, and financing clean energy investments, Both sides plan to discuss best prac - promoting the development of smart tices and cooperation in ICT manu - acknowledged the grid technologies, energy efficient facturing and testing, cloud comput - robust and full range of buildings, solar power, smart and ing, R&D in ICT and other related cooperation under the efficient air conditioning and space areas. To take advantage of the bene - cooling, and expanding off-grid fits of cyberspace and to manage the India-U.S. Energy access to clean energy. increasing threats, both also agreed Dialogue The two sides noted the ongoing on the importance of deepening commercial discussions between
July 2013 India Review 4th INDIA-U.S. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE Joint STATEMENT
NPCIL and Westinghouse towards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory ity-interoperability between the U.S. setting up a nuclear power plant at Commission (NRC) and the Indian Global Positioning System and the Mithivirdi in Gujarat. They encour - Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Indian Regional Navigation Satellite aged the two companies to expedite (AERB) on a bilateral information System. They applauded agreement these consultations. They also took exchange arrangement, by fall 2013. by the Indian Space Research note of the ongoing consultations The two sides also praised collabora - Organization and the U.S. National between General Electric-Hitachi and tive research and development under Aeronautic and Space Agency to NPCIL on setting up a nuclear power the India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Energy explore further cooperative space plant in Andhra Pradesh. Both sides Working Group, which will meet in exploration work, including future reaffirmed their commitment to the Mumbai in July 2013 to discuss missions to the moon and Mars. They full and timely implementation of the advancing cooperation in accelerator welcomed the announcement of India-U.S. civil nuclear cooperation technology and other nuclear physics NASA support through its Deep agreement. research projects. Space Network facilities to ISRO’s The Minister and Secretary The Minister and the Secretary Mars Orbiter Mission, and the ISRO- reviewed the good progress on coop - welcomed the expanded work plan NASA technical discussions to inte - eration between the United States endorsed by the India-U.S. Civil grate a U.S. L-band and Indian S- and India on particle physics and Space Joint Working Group in a band synthetic aperture radar on an expressed the desire to finalize an number of areas, including measures Indian spacecraft for earth observa - agreement by the end of this summer. that will improve the use of earth tion studies. Both sides intend to They also committed to encouraging observation data to promote sustain - cooperate bilaterally and in multilat - the conclusion of talks between the able development and the compatibil - eral forums to promote efforts to ensure the long term sustainability of outer space. To this end, both sides plan to undertake discussions on areas of mutual interest such as space situational awareness, and collision avoidance as part of a Space Security Dialogue. Minister Khurshid and Secretary Kerry welcomed the Higher Education Dialogue to be held on June 25, 2013. They reiterated their commitment to the Fulbright-Nehru Program for students and scholar exchange, and lauded the colleges and universities selected to receive funding under the second round of awards of the Obama-Singh Knowledge Initiative, for which the two Governments committed in 2009 to provide $5 million each, over five years. The leaders also lauded initia - tives such as the Raman Fellowships for placements of young faculty and researchers in U.S. universities under 10 which a first batch of 126 fellows are scheduled to join U.S. institutions in the current academic session; the ‘In Step’ initiative for training of in-serv - ice teachers; and collaborations in technology-enabled learning, includ - ing Massive Open Online Courses. They underlined the importance of developing further partnerships U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Nobel Laureate Dr. R.K. Pachauri in New Delhi on June between U.S. and Indian educational 23. U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell is also seen. (Photo: U.S. Department of State) institutions, and developing India’s
July 2013 India Review Joint STATEMENT vocational training sector through Framework Convention on Climate collaboration with U.S. educational They underlined the Change (UNFCCC) Conference of institutions. The two leaders wel - importance of Parties held in Doha. They resolved comed the initiative to establish com - developing further to carry out the Durban Platform, munity colleges in India. In this con - including by developing a protocol, text, the Minister and the Secretary partnerships between another legal instrument or an agreed welcomed the decision to conclude a U.S. and Indian outcome with legal force under the Memorandum of Understanding educational institutions, Convention applicable to all Parties. between the All India Council for They stressed the need for meaning - Technical Education and the and developing India’s ful implementation of the mecha - American Association of Community vocational training nisms set up under the UNFCCC 11 Colleges, as well as additional institu - sector through process. Additionally, the two sides tion-to-institution agreements to be agreed to enhance the existing India- signed on the margins of the Higher collaboration with U.S. U.S. Global Climate Change Education Dialogue, educational institutions Dialogue, and identify opportunities To enhance people-to-people con - for further and significant bilateral nectivity, the two leaders also wel - cooperation. comed the creation of new student es in understanding diabetes, and Welcoming the outcome of the programs, such as India’s “Connect working towards development of a Rio+20 Conference in June 2012, the India” program and the U.S. new rotavirus vaccine. The Indian two sides reaffirmed that eradication “Passport to India” initiative. They side underlined its interest to deepen of poverty is at the heart of the global noted the importance of education as cooperation with the United States in sustainable development agenda. a pillar of the strategic relationship, monsoon studies and in developing The two sides welcomed continu - which not only enhances people-to- an Integrated Ocean Drilling ing engagement on women’s empow - people connectivity, but also bolsters Program. erment and the four meetings that Indian institutional capacity to realize have been held since the establish - the demographic dividend promised Global Issues ment of the India-U.S. Women’s by the significant increase of young Minister Khurshid and Secretary Empowerment Dialogue in 2009. people in India’s population. Kerry lauded the expansion of the The Minister and the Secretary wel - Cooperation in education supports successive rounds of the Strategic comed the opportunity to further economic growth in both countries Dialogue to encompass a truly global cement India-U.S. cooperation in and fosters the innovation and entre - strategic partnership. The co-chairs these existing areas and explore addi - preneurship both nations need to expressed appreciation for the suc - tional areas of mutual interest, advance together in the 21st century. cess of the two countries in leverag - including in the fields of clean energy The two leaders welcomed the rich ing their respective areas of compar - and women in science, technology, mix of public and private science and ative advantage to jointly assist other and engineering. technology cooperation between U.S. partner countries across the globe. The two leaders endorsed the and Indian institutions and partners Minister Khurshid and Secretary detailed sectoral fact sheets outlining and underscored the importance of Kerry welcomed the ongoing trilater - progress achieved in a range of areas science, technology, and innovation al cooperation in establishing Open since the previous Dialogue in to the well-being and economic Government Platforms in Ghana and Washington in June 2012, and growth of the two countries. They Rwanda, eliminating preventable encouraged Departments and applauded the announcement of child deaths, and strengthening agri - Ministries on both sides to continue awards from the Millennium Alliance culture management and extension to to design and implement ambitious and the Science and Technology expand food security among impor - plans to further the partnership. Endowment Board celebrating the tant African partners such as Kenya, The two co-chairs expressed satis - joint collaborative and innovative Liberia, and Malawi, while also coop - faction at the consistent progress being spirit between our scientists and erating to empower women econom - made in the annual Strategic technologists. The two countries ically in Afghanistan. The two sides Dialogues towards deepening the reaffirmed their commitment to also welcomed the continuing bilater - India-U.S. partnership. Secretary future collaborations in a wide range al consultations on peacekeeping and Kerry thanked Minister Khurshid for of disciplines from physics and state- recognized the need to expand this hosting the fourth round in New Delhi. of-the-art telescopes, to increasing senior official dialogue to cover the The next round of the Strategic the role of women in science and range of issues in the United Nations. Dialogue will be convened in the technology, advancing health The two sides welcomed the deci - United States in 2014, on mutually research by continuing their success - sions taken at the United Nations convenient dates.
July 2013 India Review 4th INDIA-U.S. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE Fact SHEETS India-US : Strengthening a multifaceted partnership he visionary leaderships of eration of the two countries at various engaged in advancing the ties Prime Minister Dr. levels for strengthening collaboration between India and the U.S. to a high - Manmohan Singh and U.S. in all areas of strategic importance. er level for leveraging the strengths of T President Barack Obama Be it economy, energy, higher educa - each other for mutual benefits. As the have led to the growth of India-U.S. tion, science & technology, health or two countries conclude their fourth relations into a multifaceted partner - cultural cooperation, various institu - Strategic Dialogue, we take a look at ship. This is reflected from the coop - tions of the two countries are now the major areas of collaboration: Sustainable growth, energy and climate change
n India and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on clean energy, energy efficiency, energy security, and climate change in 2009. n The two sides noted the robust and full range of cooperation under the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue, high - lighting ongoing engagement in the areas of electrical grid cooper - ation, energy efficiency, expanding markets for renewable energy technologies and addressing barri - ers to clean energy deployment, shale gas resource assessments and sharing lessons on exploita - tion, clean coal technology devel - opment, and civil nuclear energy. n Over the past year, negotiations leading to the construction of U.S. nuclear power plants in Gujarat Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with U.S. President Barack Obama at White House, Washington, and Andra Pradesh have continued D.C. on November 24, 2009. with notable progress made towards land acquisition. Clean Energy PACE in November at least $100 million for clean n On May 7, 2012 USAID and the 2009 to improve energy access and energy investments. Planning Commission of India promote low-carbon growth. n A Partnership agreement was signed a Statement of Principles Under PACE-Research, in 2012, signed between the U.S. and India forming a new Joint Working the Government of India and the for the Sustainable Forests and 12 Group on Sustainable Growth that Department of Energy are sup - Climate Adaptation programme on will support efforts to “enhance porting three innovative public- September 30, 2010. Under Indian and U.S. capacity to devel - private U.S.-India consortia work President Obama’s Global Climate op long-term plans and strategies in solar energy, building efficiency, Change Initiative, in July 2012, the to achieve low carbon inclusive and advanced biofuels under the Indian Ministry of Environment growth.” It should also help us in $125 million Joint Clean Energy and Forests and USAID initiated a development and adoption of clean Research and Development five-year, $14 million contract to technologies. Center. take Reducing Emissions from n Prime Minister Singh and n USAID announced a new loan Deforestation and Forest President Obama announced guarantee under the Development Degradation (REDD+) actions to India-U.S. Partnership to Advance Credit Authority that will mobilize scale in India.
July 2013 India Review Fact SHEETS
collaboration and partnerships in a Economic Collaborations sector that is at the forefront of innovation. n Business ties have led the way in n In September 2012, the Indian achieving a nearly fivefold increase Competition Agencies (Ministry of in bilateral trade since 2000. Corporate Affairs and Competition Annual two-way trade is more than Commission of India (CCI)) and $100 billion, while the total two the U.S. Antitrust Agencies way foreign direct investment is (Department of Justice and the nearing $30 billion. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) n Since 2010, India and the United signed a MOU on Antitrust 13 States have engaged in an Cooperation. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram with business Economic and Financial leaders at a India-U.S. CEO Forum Meeting in n The India-U.S. CEO Forum is a Partnership (EFP) to deepen India Mumbai, in October 2007. unique gathering of CEOs and — U.S. engagement in core eco - senior government officials from nomic policy areas. n The Trade Policy Forum (TPF) both countries that enables a forth - n India and the United States have enables India and the U.S. to right conversation about immedi - engaged in bilateral investment engage on a wide range of policy ate policy issues. treaty (BIT) negotiations since issues impacting bilateral trade n Over the past year, economic ties at 2008, with the last round held in and investment. the state and city levels have grown. June 2012. n Under the India-U.S. Aviation n The new American Business n Since 2000, the Commercial Cooperation Program (ACP), the Corners initiative is facilitating Dialogue facilitates discussions on U.S. Trade and Development economic engagement with India’s key economic topics such as stan - Agency will sponsor the fourth booming urban centers and dards for smart grids and intelli - India-U.S. Aviation Summit in strengthening India-U.S. business gent transportation systems, public October 2013. connections by providing Indian awareness programs on Intellectual n Through the Information and entrepreneurs information about Property Rights, sustainable manu - Communication Technology trade and investment facturing practices, and support for Working Group (ICTWG), Indian opportunities with the United small and medium enterprises. and U.S. officials work to promote States.
n Under the India-U.S. Health Initiative, ices under the framework of a Joint launched in 2010, four working groups Health Matters Statement signed in June 2009. have been organized in the areas of Non- n On June 14-15, 2012, the Governments of Communicable Diseases, Infectious the United States, India, and Ethiopia, in Diseases, Strengthening Health Systems collaboration with UNICEF, hosted the and Services, and Maternal and Child Child Survival Call to Action event in Health. Washington, D.C. to mobilize the world to n The Indian National Centre of Disease achieve the ambitious yet achievable goal Control (NCDC) and Ministry of Health and of reducing all preventable child deaths by Family Welfare, and U.S. Centers for 2035. Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) n The Drug Controller General of India and Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam and Department of Health and Human Nabi Azad and the Minister of State the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Services signed a MOU in November 2010 (Independent Charge) for Women and Child (FDA) have been collaborating in the area to collaborate in the establishment and Development Krishna Tirath with the U.S. of training, regulation of medical devices, Secretary, Health and Human Services, Kathleen operation of the Global Disease Detection- Sebelius, at the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and India Centre. The Global Disease Washington, D.C. on June 12. e-governance. Detection-India Centre is now fully opera - n Working in close partnership with NACO, tional and experts have collaborated in the n The Indian Ministry of Health and Family PEPFAR has contributed $261.6 million to areas of food borne diseases, emergency Welfare and U.S. CDC within the U.S. India between 2004-2012 for HIV preven - operations, zoonotic diseases, public Department of Health and Human Services tion, care and treatment. The U.S. CDC, health laboratory systems, disease collaborate in the areas of prevention and USAID, and NIH all have bilateral agree - surveillance, epidemiology and acute control of road traffic injury, trauma system ments and arrangements with Indian insti - encephalitis. development and emergency medical serv - tutions to address HIV/AIDS.
July 2013 India Review 4th INDIA-U.S. STRATEGIC DIALOGUE Fact SHEETS
Higher education development Space Missions
n The United States is the most n India and the United States pursue civil favored destination for Indian stu - space cooperation under the framework dents, with more than 100,000 of the Joint Working Group on Civil Indian students pursuing higher Space, which was constituted as the fol - studies in the United States. low-up to the India-U.S. Conference on n In response to strong interest Space Science, Application, and among academic communities in Commerce held in Bangalore in June both countries the two countries 2004. convened India-U.S. Higher n The India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Education Summit in Washington Group held its fourth meeting in D.C. in October 2011 that ulti - Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2013. mately led to the establishment of The Joint Working Group engaged in a an annual bilateral Higher broad range of discussions and Education Dialogue. endorsed expanded work in a number of n Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan areas including measures to improve the Singh and President Barack use of earth observation data to pro - Then Minister for Human Resource Development Obama announced the Obama- Kapil Sibal with former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary mote sustainable development and pro - Singh 21 st Century Knowledge Clinton at the second India-U.S. Higher Education mote the compatibility and the interop - Initiative in November 2009 to Dialogue, in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2012. erability between the U.S. Global fund institutional partnerships Positioning System and the Indian between Indian and U.S. institu - United States for professional Regional Navigation Satellite System. tions of higher education, through development and capacity n NASA and ISRO signed an agreement for faculty exchanges and research building. activities related to India’s Mars Orbiter and innovation collaboration in the n The ‘Connect India Program’ was Mission. Further, NASA and ISRO are priority areas of food security, cli - announced during the India-U.S. pursuing discussions on the potential mate change, sustainable health Higher Education Dialogue held development of a joint dual frequency (L and public health. Each side has in June 2012. It envisages place - & S band) Synthetic Aperture Radar committed $5 million for the ini - ment of 200 U.S. students at Imaging Satellite Mission. The two tiative, which will grant awards of Indian education institutions for a agencies will explore cooperation in up to $250,000 to selected proj - semester of study. future missions to the moon. ects. n India is collaborating with U.S. n Under agreements signed in March n The Fulbright-Nehru program, institutions to establish a Centre of 2012, NASA, the U.S. National Oceanic supported by both governments, Excellence on Cyber Systems at & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has nearly tripled in size over the the Indian Institute of Technology, and the Indian Space Research last four years, with approximately Delhi. Organization (ISRO) are cooperating on 300 students and scholars from n The India-Support for Teacher ISRO’s Oceansat-2 mission and the the United States and India partic - Education Program (In-STEP) is Global Precipitation Measurement and ipating annually. a joint project between the U.S. ISRO-French Space Agency Megha n The C. V. Raman Fellowship pro - Agency for International Tropiques missions. gram, announced during the Development (USAID) and the n India is implementing a ‘Global Higher Education Summit in Ministry of Human Resource Positioning System Aided Geo 2011, aims to place junior faculty Development to build the capacity Augmented Navigation System 14 members from India for post-doc - of teacher educators in India. This (GAGAN)’ for civil aviation purposes toral research in U.S. higher edu - thirty-month, $4.3 million activity through a commercial agreement with cation institutions. The first cohort plans to send two groups of the U.S. firm Raytheon. of 126 Raman Fellows will con - approximately fifty teachers each n ISRO and NASA have worked out Terms duct post-doctoral research in dif - from eastern and northeastern of Reference for ‘Professional Engineer ferent U.S. institutions beginning states in India to attend a three- and Scientist Exchange Programme.’ in August 2013. month customized training pro - n India has also funded the establishment n Beginning later this year, the gram at a U.S. university. of the “Prof. Satish Dhawan Graduate United States intends to host a n The Passport to India Initiative Endowment Fellowship Programme” at series of delegations of community seeks to increase significantly the the California Institute of Technology. college leaders from India to the number of U.S. students in India.
July 2013 India Review Fact SHEETS Science & technology cooperation n The India-U.S. Science and could be recognized as the first emanating from some of the most Technology Cooperation entirely new vaccine developed cataclysmic events in our universe Agreement, signed in 2005, estab - within India in over 100 years. – black holes, neutron stars, and lished the Joint Committee meeting n The U.S. National Institutes of supernovas. This research may (JCM) to plan, coordinate, moni - Health signed two Joint Statements improve our understanding of the tor, and facilitate bilateral coopera - in 2013 with India’s Department of Big Bang. India has proposed real - tion in science and technology. Science and Technology and izing this goal in its Twelfth and n Under the auspices of an agreement Department of Biotechnology. The future Five-year Frameworks. 15 signed in July 2011 between Indian Joint Statements are intended to n Indian Department of Science & Department of Atomic Energy initiate new areas of bilat - Technology and the United (DAE) and the U.S. Department of eral scientific collabo - States endowed the Energy (DOE), the DAE and the ration focused on India-U.S. Science DOE are exploring collaborative the development & Technology mechanisms to develop next-gener - of low-cost, diag - Forum (IUSSTF) ation, high-intensity superconduct - nostic, and ther - in 2000 with ing radio frequency proton acceler - apeutic medical matching funds ators and enhance cooperation in devices, and to to facilitate related physics research. continue such mutually benefi - n Through a unique India-U.S. existing collabo - cial bilateral social innovation partnership ration. cooperation in involving India’s Department of n Through a part - science, engineer - Biotechnology, U.S. National nership between ing, and health. Institutes of Health, U.S. Centers the Indian Initiative n In 2010, for Disease Control and in Gravitational the United States and Prevention, PATH, Bharat Biotech, Observations India identi - NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper, an instrument on Stanford University, All India (IndIGO) and the ISRO’s Chandrayaan-1 mission, took this image. fied “Women Institute of Medical Sciences, and the U.S. Laser Small amounts of water were detected on the surface in Science” as a range of other public and private Interferometer of the Moon at various locations. (Photo: a priority area ISRO/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Brown Univ./USGS) partners, collaborators recently Gravitational- for bilateral released the results of a Phase 3 wave Observatory Laboratory and engagement. clinical trial involving a new other institutes in India, both sides n Since 2010, India has committed rotavirus vaccine: ROTAVAC®. are working to build a world-class to contribute as a member in the Positive results from the Phase III gravitational wave detector in India Thirty Meter Telescope to a clinical trial, involving more than that will greatly enhance a network California Institute of Technology- 6,000 participants in India, showed of detectors under construction in led consortium that is developing that ROTAVAC® has an excellent the United States, Europe, and one of the world’s most powerful safety and efficacy profile, and Japan to study gravitational waves telescopes in Hawaii.
ment and short and long-term “Vivekananda Memorial Cultural Exchanges loans. Programme for Museum Excellence” n As part of the celebrations of the for upgrading the skills of museum n The Indian Ministry of Culture and the 150 th birth anniversary of professionals of India. Metropolitan Museum Art, New York, Swami Vivekananda, a $1.5 mil - n The Tagore exhibition “The Last signed a Memorandum of Agreement in lion “Vivekananda Chair” was Harvest” was organized at the Asia February 2013 to enhance cultural established in the University of Society, New York and at the Art exchanges, training and visits undertaken by Chicago and a plaque of Swami Institute of Chicago in 2012. museum professionals from both sides and Vivekananda was installed at enhance cooperation in areas of conserva - the Art Institute of Chicago. Martha T Roth (left), Dean, Division of Humanities at the tion, exhibition, academic research, informa - n The Ministry of Culture is coop - University of Chicago, and Sanjiv Mittal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, signing an tion sharing, public education, promotion erating with the Art Institute of agreement on establishing a ‘Vivekananda Chair’ at the and publicity, publication, museum manage - Chicago under the $500,000 University of Chicago on January 28, 2012.
July 2013 India Review Higher Education DIALOGUE
Minister for Human Resource Development Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju and the U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry at the India-U.S. Higher Education Dialogue- 2013, in New Delhi on June 25. Higher Education: India, US explore new avenues for collaboration
Promoting institution to institution ties, deepening cooperation in R&D, encouraging students and faculty exchanges, skill development and giving thrust to online education took center stage in the third India-U.S. Higher Education Dialogue
uring the third India-U.S. grow together as two leading knowl - Higher Education India, US sign four MoUs edge societies in the world. Dialogue, the two countries THE FOUR MoUs signed during the third The Dialogue was attended by Tara Dannounced eight joint India-U.S. Higher Education Dialogue are: Sonenshine, U.S. Under Secretary of research partnerships under Singh- n MoU between Indian Institute of State; Martha Kanter, U.S. Under Obama 21 st century Knowledge Technology (IIT) Delhi and University of Secretary of Education; U.S. Initiative; advancing “Connect India” Nebraska on Cyber Systems Ambassador to India Nancy Powell programs aimed at inviting students n MoU between IIT Bombay and edX on other officials and academics from from the U.S. institutions for short- Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) different institutions and Community term courses in India and the final list n MoU between All India Council for Colleges from U.S. side. Sam of 126 Raman Fellows for Post- Technical Education (AICTE) and Pitroda, Advisor to Prime Minister; 16 Doctoral research in U.S. institutions. American Association of Community Nirupama Rao, Ambassador of India Institutions of the two countries also Colleges on cooperation for establish - to U.S.; Ashok Thakur, Secretary, signed four Memorandum of ment of Community Colleges Higher Education; Dr. T. Ramasami, Understandings (MoUs) on cyber sys - n MoU between ITM Group of Institutions Secretary, Department of Science tems, Massive Open Online Courses and Montgomery College on cooperation and Technology; and Vice (MOOCs), establishment of communi - in Capacity Development Chancellors, Directors of Indian ty colleges, and capacity development. Institute of Technologies, other aca - Opening the Dialogue along with demics and representatives of indus - U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, emphasized the need to look for and try including CII, FICCI and India’s Minister for Human Resource work upon new avenues for collabora - ASSOCHAM attended the Dialogue Development Dr. M. M. Pallam Raju tion so that the two countries could from the Indian side.
July 2013 India Review Higher Education DIALOGUE
between the two countries upon which the Higher Education Dialogue need to be carried forward. The India-US Higher Education dialogue has been very instrumental in strengthening educational collabo - rations between the two countries. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh termed the collaboration between India and U.S. as “defining partner - 17 ship of the century” and outlined that knowledge sharing was an important component of it. The major initiatives include enhanced two-way student mobility, research collaborations, fac - ulty development, collaborations for Ambassador Nirupama Rao with students from India and the U.S. at the third India-U.S. Higher Education Dialogue in New Delhi on June 25. establishment of community colleges, collaborations for cyber systems, and HRD Minister Dr Raju said that his gral part of the education system and technology enabled learning includ - vision was to transform the country’s the role of business and industry would ing Massive Open Online Courses educational institutions into hubs of be of great relevance. He expressed (MOOCs). knowledge creation and promoters of deep satisfaction at the initiatives taken The deliberations in the Dialogue innovation as also provide opportuni - recently and hoped that the Dialogue focused on enhancing opportunities ties to its youth for their skill develop - would provide more opportunities for for student/scholar mobility and ment and employment. The Minister mutual engagement. collaboration, community colleges and added that overall during the XII Five Secretary Kerry in his opening Technology Enabled Learning and Year Plan 2012-2017, India would remarks said the two countries needed MOOCs during the working strive toward achieving an additional to focus on providing education, skills sessions co-chaired by Ashok Thakur, enrollment capacity of 10 million stu - and cultural values to the children who Secretary, Higher Education and U.S. dents in higher education including 1 form the most valuable part of the Under Secretary of State Tara million in open and distance learning future world population. He remarked Sonenshine. Ways for working togeth - so as to raise the country’s Gross that technology should be used as a er and collaborations were discussed Enrollment Ratio (GER) in Higher tool to instill values in children so that for maximum leveraging of resources, Education from 18.1 percent at pres - they are able to use the information competence and knowledge. ent to 25.2 percent by 2017 and reach and education they receive for the bet - The Dialogue will be taken forward the target of 30 percent GER by 2020. terment of the society and nation in the coming years for improved rela - He also said that skill development and building. Secretary Kerry also outlined tions between India and the United vocational education should be an inte - the contours of the broad relations States.
SOME OF the important ideas that emerged Education (AICTE) to work with their coun - from the Dialogue include: Focal PoIntS terparts to embed mechanisms for standard n Deepen educational relations on a sustain - tional students and faculty to upgrade setting and quality assurance mechanisms able basis in the areas of skill development, infrastructure. and vocational education and skills. learner centric technology integrated educa - n Workshops to be held to promote Twinning n Greater involvement of industry in both tion, building human capital for meeting skill arrangements between Indian and U.S. countries to develop strong industry-acade - requirements at all levels from elementary institutions as per India’s University Grant mia linkages. to tertiary liberal education and establishing Commission (UGC) regulations. n Develop better understanding of mutual stronger and larger people and institutional n Sharing best practices through joint strengths and leverage them to our mutual linkages. India, U.S. will upscale the Raman workshops in the collaborative domains of advantage for sustainable relationships Fellowships to encourage more students for community colleges, vocational education, across the three major themes discussed their post- doctoral studies. MOOCs and other models of online working sessions, i.e. research collaborations n Create a single-point/nodal agency in select education. and student/ scholar mobility; community institutions to meet the needs of interna - n UGC and All India Council for Technical colleges; and Technology Enabled Education.
July 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS
Press briefing by Indian Parliamentary delegation to US
Baijayant “Jay” Panda, leader of the The visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation members at the Media personnel interacting with the Indian Parliamentary delegation visiting Embassy. From left, Bhakta Charan Das, Prem Das Rai, Baijayant delegates. Washington, D.C., briefing the media at “Jay” Panda, Uday Singh, Partap Singh Bajwa, Supriya Sule and the Embassy on June 5. Manicka Tagore.
Ambassador hosts NFIA delegates
1. Counselor Pranay Verma welcoming the 1 2 guests at the reception hosted by Ambassador Nirupama Rao for National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) delegates at the Embassy on June 6. 2. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the gathering. 3. Leaders of the NFIA delegates presenting a memento to Ambassador Rao. 4. Sohan P. Joshi, President, NFIA, speaking on the occasion. 5. Subash Razdan, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardee, addressing the gathering. 6. Parthasarthy Pillai, Chair, NFIA Congressional Luncheon, proposing the vote of thanks. 7. Guests in attendance. 3 4
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July 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS
Talk by noted historian and biographer Ramachandra Guha
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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and 4 addressing the guests at a special talk by noted historian and biographer Ramachandra Guha on “Gandhi’s Faith and Ours”, at the Embassy Residence on June 7. 2. Professor Guha talking on “Gandhi’s Faith and Ours”, exploring how Gandhi’s religious pluralism offers a strikingly contemporary alternative to both fundamentalism and militant atheism. 3. Interactive session with Professor Guha. 4. Guests in attendance.
Ambassador hosts members of the English Speaking Union
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2. Ambassador 5 6 Nirupama Rao addressing the gathering. 3. Manil Suri, an Indian- American mathemati - cian and writer, speaking on the occa - sion. 4. Interactive session with Manil Suri. 5. A. Graham Down, President of Washington Branch of ESU, proposing the 1. Frederic W. Schwartz, former President of Washington Branch of the English Speaking Union (ESU) welcoming the vote of thanks. guests and introducing the event at a reception hosted by Ambassador Nirupama Rao for members of the English 6. Guests in attendance. Speaking Union, at the Embassy Residence on June 12.
July 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS
Spark!Lab India project & felicitation of Ritankar Das
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mbassador Nirupama Spark!Lab India was made by to spearhead the expansion of the Rao, in association with Arthur Molella, Director and Tricia network from 10 to 100 labs. Lemelson Center for the Edwards, Education Specialist, Activities will incorporate relevant A Study of Invention and Lemelson Center for the Study of topics and themes to the individual Innovation, National Museum of Invention and Innovation, National communities in India where American History, Smithsonian Museum of American History, Spark!Labs will be located. Institution hosted a reception at the Smithsonian Institution. This was followed by an interac - Embassy of India for the introduc - The Smithsonian Lemelson tive Q& A session. Lemelson Center tion of the Spark!Lab India Project Center for the Study of Invention also organized a mini Spark!lab in on June 10. During the event, and Innovation proposes to open a the Embassy where the children, Ambassador Rao announced the network of hands-on invention who were the special invitees for the launching of the Young India series activity spaces, called Spark!Labs, Young India Series, played and by the Indian Embassy, under which throughout India. Operating as a learned about Science and scientific a series of events would be organ - public-private partnership (PPP), principles. ized targeting the younger genera - the Lemelson Center seeks to open Felicitating the young achiever tion. She also felicitated the special 10 pilot Spark!Lab sites, with the Ritankar Das, Ambassador Rao said, guest Ritankar Das, the youngest goal of jumpstarting an Indian-run “It is indeed a great pleasure to note University Medalist (top graduating network of up to 100 labs. Over the that Ritankar has become the senior) at U.C. Berkeley (over 6000 next two years, the Lemelson Center youngest graduate topper of the graduates) in at least a century. will work to establish the initial prestigious University of California, Ambassador Rao said that the cohort of 10 labs throughout the Berkeley, in more than a century. We Spark!Lab India projects would bring country, while training science, feel extremely proud to know your the best of innovation and coopera - education, and museum profession - exceptional achievements as a young tion between India and the US. als in the Spark!Lab philosophy and Indian American as, at the age of 18, A presentation about the methodology and identifying leaders you are the youngest University
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July 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS
7 8 Medalist at U.C. Berkeley, amongst over 6000 graduates, and that too with a double major in bioengineer - ing and chemical biology and a minor in creative writing with 3.99 GPA. Your wider interests and ini - tiative resulting in the founding of Berkeley Chemical Review research journal and the ‘See Your Future’ 21 non-profit organization to promote science as a career among school students, and your poetry book ‘Silent Moon’ are commendable.” 9 She wished him all the best for his next move to Oxford University to pursue a Master’s degree in bio - medical engineering with a fully funded Whitaker Fellowship and then on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Ritankar has been admitted to the chemistry Ph.D. program.
1. Counselor M. Sridharan welcoming the guests at a reception hosted by Ambassador Nirupama Rao, in association with Lemelson Center for the Study of 10 Invention and Innovation, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, for introduction of the Spark!Lab India Project, at the Embassy on June 10. 2. Padmini Nidumolu, Senior Project Manager, Enterprise & Learning Technologies, addressing the gathering and introducing the event. 3. Ambassador Rao addressing the gathering. 4. Ambassador Rao felicitating Ritankar Das, the youngest University Medalist (top grad - uating senior) at U.C. Berkeley, with books & bouquet. 5. Ritankar Das speaking on the occasion. 6. Introduction of Spark!Lab India Project by Arthur Molella, Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, National Museum of American History, 11 Smithsonian Institution. 7. Presentation on Spark!Lab India Project by Tricia Edwards, Education Specialist, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. 8. B.P. Agarwal, Executive Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, proposing the vote of thanks. 9. Ambassador Nirupama Rao with school children. 10. Exhibition of Special Display of Spark!Lab equipment. 11. Guests in attendance.
July 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS
Talk by Dr. Karan Singh on Madan Mohan Malaviya
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1. Alka Khanna, an alumni of Banaras Hindu Banaras Hindu University Alumni 4. Interactive session with Dr. Karan Singh. University (BHU), welcoming the guests at a Associations of USA, hosted the event at the 5. Prof. Krishna Kumar, College of Pharmacy at talk by Dr. Karan Singh, M.P. & President, Embassy on June 18. Howard University and an alumni of Banaras Indian Council For Cultural Relations 2. Ambassador Rao addressing the gathering. Hindu University (BHU), proposing the vote (ICCR), New Delhi, on “Mahamana Madan 3. Dr. Karan Singh delivering his talk on of thanks. Mohan Malaviya: His Life’s Message”. The “Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya: His 6. Guests in attendance. Embassy of India, in collaboration with the Life’s Message”.
July 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS Felicitation of Sri Srinivasan at Embassy Residence
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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and of Appeals for the District of Columbia 3. Ambassador Rao with Sri Srinivasan. addressing the gathering at a reception host - Circuit, at the Embassy Residence on 4. Ambassador Rao with Sri Srinivasan, his ed in honor of Sri Srinivasan, who the June 17. mother and sister. U.S. Senate confirmed as Judge, U.S. Courts 2. Sri Srinivasan speaking on the occasion. 5. Guests in attendance.
Consulate EVENTS Consulate General of India, Houston
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1. During his visit to Colorado, Consul General 2. Consul General P. Harish with Colorado General Harish was the Keynote Speaker at P. Harish called on Michael B. Hancock, Mayor, Secretary of State Scott Gessler at the the event. City of Denver on May 30. Consul General National U.S. India Chamber of Commerce 3. Consul General P. Harish with Harish and Mayor Hancock discussed means (NUICC) “Colorado-India Economic Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO, of collaboration and potential commercial Opportunities and Challenges” conference 1st District) at the conference. opportunities between India and Denver. at Denver, Colorado on May 31. Consul
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