Meridian Global Business Briefing with H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the U.S. & Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN)

In the context of supply chain vulnerabilities and China’s growing assertiveness, the U.S.-India relationship is crucial to protecting both countries’ vital interests. On March 22, 2023, the Meridian Corporate Council partnered with Amazon Web Services to host a Global Business Briefing with Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN). The discussion, moderated by Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday, covered key areas of collaboration and partnership between the U.S. and India in a time of flux for the Indo-Pacific.

Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu is one of the most experienced Indian diplomats on U.S. affairs, having served in the Indian Mission in Washington DC twice earlier. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington, DC from July 2013 to January 2017. Earlier, he was First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington, DC responsible for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997 to 2000. He has also been at the Permanent Mission of India to United Nations, New York from July 2005 to February 2009. Prior to his current assignment in Washington DC, Ambassador Sandhu was High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020.

United States Senator Bill Hagerty was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020 and is currently serving his first term representing the state of Tennessee. His committee assignments include: U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs; U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations; and the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules & Administration. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Hagerty served as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, the world’s third largest economy and America’s closest ally in the region.

The past three months have seen a rapid increase in the pace of U.S.-India bilateral engagement through several cabinet-level visits between both countries and fora such as the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue. Both nations’ interests are strategically aligned in the Indo-Pacific, with similar concerns about Chinese assertiveness and a similar vision of a free, rules-based region. India’s rapidly transforming investment climate renders it an attracitve destination for U.S. investment as companies begin to divest from China to bolster supply chain resilience, and technology (through mechanisms like iCET) and biopharmaceuticals are key areas of cooperation. Through expanded engagement with ASEAN, the Quad, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the U.S. and India can work together to create an environment conducive to global freedom, unity, and prosperity.

H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the U.S. shakes hands with Shannon Kellogg, Vice President – Policy (Americas), Amazon Web Services during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Ludmilla Kasulke, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, posits a question to Ambassador Sandhu during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Philip Chen, Deputy Vice President – International, PhRMA, and Robert Grant, Director – International Government Affairs/Global Policy participate in a discussion during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Marie Kissel, Senior Advisor, Abbot Laboratories asks a question to Ambassador Sandhu during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Members of the Meridian Corporate Council listen to opening remarks from Ambassador Sandhu and Senator Hagerty during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Ambassador Holliday provides closing remarks and a vote of thanks to Ambassador Sandhu during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Members of the Meridian Corporate Council get a chance to network with peers ahead of the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO, Meridian International Center, and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) share a laugh during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Arielle Thomas, Manager – Government Relations, NEC in conversation with Steven Greenwald, Manager – Corporate Relations during the Global Business Briefing on March 22, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.