The U.S.-India Business Council's 34th Anniversary Summit in Washington D.C. attracted record attention from industry, senior government officials and members of the press. In the midst of a global economic downturn, attendance for the Gala Reception on June 16th as well as for the main Summit on June 17th was in excess of 500 persons for each event. The numbers exceeded not only all expectations but also the capacity of the respective venues.

The Gala Reception featuring Slumdog Millionaire author, Vikas Swarup, and Sarod Maestro Aashish Khan was held at Washington's newest building – The Newseum – with more than 520 business leaders and friends of India attending.

The following day, at USIBC's Synergies Summit, held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an overflow crowd of more than 510 executives registered to hear USIBC Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo. Indra K. Nooyi; India's Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Anand Sharma, together with three high-level U.S. Cabinet Secretaries, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, and the new U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk speak about deepening U.S.-India commercial and trade ties. Private sector icons Azim Premji and Sy Sternberg were awarded USIBC's Global Vision and Business Excellence Awards respectively. Past recipients of these awards include Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani and Kenneth Chenault.

In addition to the overwhelming attendance, the enthusiasm shown by companies in sponsoring the event was indicative of the important work the Council engages in, as well as the value of India as a destination for business. In line with the significance of India for many of the companies in the room, the two-day "Synergies Summit", focused on the commercial opportunities that will flow from inherent synergies bolstering the world's two largest free-market democracies.  In addition to the commercial relationship, USIBC's Annual Meeting also highlighted the increasing cooperation and partnership between the United States and India on broader issues such as security, climate change and human development.
 
About USIBC: The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 at the request of the Government of India and the U.S. Government to deepen trade and strengthen commercial ties is hosted under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Image 1: USIBC's Gala Night at the Newseum in Washington D.C., June 16th 2009
Image 2: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaking at USIBC's Summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, June 17th 2009