Meridian Global Insights Mission India – February 1-8, 2020
Overview
Meridian International Center will conduct a Meridian Global insights Mission to India on February 1-8, 2020.
This diplomatic mission provides delegation members with a unique opportunity and first-hand context of Meridian’s mission of strengthening diplomacy and U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, ideas and culture. With a core foundation in the rule of law and democratic principles, the United States and India remain critical diplomatic partners.
Meridian maintains close ties to the world’s fastest growing economy though relationships with India’s government, trade associations, businesses and Department of State programs. In May 2018, Meridian’s Corporate Council hosted His Excellency Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Ambassador of India to the United States, to discuss economic relations, the Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement has hosted Indian cultural events, and the Meridian Global Leadership Council has broken bread at the Punjab Grill in Washington while learning about ethnic and culinary tradition. Now, Meridian looks forward to exploring the important relationship between the U.S. and India through an immersive experience focusing on India’s history, politics, economy, culture, and religious and civic issues.
The 7-night/8-day trip will take delegates through the territory of Delhi to meet with government and diplomatic officials in the capital. The trip will also include an excursion to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. A preliminary schedule is included below and details on confirmed activities and arrangements will be provided as the program evolves.
Purpose
The Meridian Global Insights Mission provides delegation members a unique opportunity and first-hand context of Meridian’s mission of strengthening diplomacy and U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, ideas and culture by:
- Exploring the important relationship between the United States and India, one of our country’s oldest allies, by learning about India’s history, politics, economy, culture, religious and civic issues;
- Encouraging people-to-people exchange through interactions with India’s government and business leaders as well as civil society leaders, scholars and historians;
- Empowering delegates to serve as citizen diplomats to further the global reach of Meridian International Center through strategic dialogue, thoughtful discussion, and the open exchange of ideas between participants and locals.
Schedule Overview
The 7-night/8-day trip will take delegates through the territory of Delhi to meet with government and diplomatic officials in the capital. The trip will also include an excursion to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Day 1: Friday, January 31st: Departure from the United States
Day 2: Saturday, February 1: Arrival to Delhi
Day 3: Sunday, February 2: New Delhi
Activities:
Day 4: Monday, February 3: New Delhi
Meetings:
- Tour of Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House)
- Ram Nath Kovind, President of India
- Ambassador Ken Juster and tour of the American Embassy
- ICCR President (Indian Council for Cultural Relations)
Activities:
Day 5: Tuesday, February 4: Old Delhi
Meetings:
- Shri Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament (former Undersecretary General of the U.N.)
- Mr. Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament
- Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chair of NITI Aayog
- Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Min. of Food Processing Industries
Activities:
Day 6: Wednesday, February 5: Day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal
Activities:
Day 7: Thursday, February 6: Delhi
Meetings:
- Karan Singh, Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab
- Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress
- Rajiv Kumar, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog Co-Chair)
- Aileen Nandi, Head of the US Foreign Commercial Service
- Bharat Lal, Advisor to PM Modi and Current Additional Secretary to Water Ministry
- Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Finance and Minister of State for Corporate Affairs (Member of Parliament)
Day 7: Friday, February 7: One Globe Forum, Delhi
Day 8: Saturday, February 8: One Globe Forum and departure from Delhi
Download Itinerary
Mission Expenses and Accommodations
The cost of the trip is $5,000 per person if individual or $4,000 per person in a couple. This includes first-class accommodation, in-country transportation, all meals, guides, and fees. Delegates are responsible for the cost and arrangement of their own airfare to and from India.
Current members of the Meridian Board of Trustees and the Meridian Leadership Councils are also invited to serve as delegates. For more information on previous delegations, please click HERE. Space is limited to 25 people; reservations will be confirmed on a first come, first served with a final deadline of Monday, December 23.