Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says there is a “great opportunity” for strengthening Indo-US relationship in the field of bilateral trade and war against terrorism

Emerging out of the White House immediately after a meeting with President Barack Obama, along with other members of the National Governors Association, Jindal said India-US relationship is one area on the foreign policy front where there is a bipartisan support and the two countries would benefit both economically and politically — from strengthening of this ties. ”I think, it is a great opportunity for both countries (India and the US),” Jindal, who is the first Indian American Governor of an US State told PTI on Monday.

Bobby Jindal“One of the things that the President did talk about (during the meeting) for example was the potential trade deal with the Pacific region and I think, this is one example whether countries like India or other nations in Asia that are friend to America. India is one of them,” Jindal. ”We have traditional allies like South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, but also other countries including Vietnam. They are friendly to America and want a strong relationship,” said the Louisiana Governor, who became the governor in 2008.

“I think this (India-US bilateral relationship) is good for India. It is good for America. I think, both economically as well as politically there are great opportunities. And there is a bipartisan support to do that. That is something that the President could work with thisCongress to get done. I think this would benefit both countries,” Jindal said. A Republican presidential aspirant, this is for the first time that Jindal has expressed his view on India US relationship.

Highly critical of Obama’s foreign policy, Jindal appeared to be supportive of the president’s efforts to strengthen ties with India, which he noted is in America’s interest. Responding to questions, Jindal supported joint effort between India and the US in the fight against terrorism, in particular Islamic extremism.

“Two things have to happen. One is to call on leaders of the Muslim community to not just denounce acts of violence, but also individuals by name who commit these violence, to make clear that such individuals are not going to enjoy or reward after life, but are rather going straight to hell,” he said. ”Secondly, one of the things which is also very important is that we got to insist on simulation on integration of our societies. That is something that America has a great history of being a melting pot, welcoming folks from all over the world,” he said.

“The bottom line is we do welcome people as long as they respect freedoms of others to live their lives, to have religious liberty, have freedom of speech, self-determination,” he added. Referring to his recent visit to Europe, Jindal said one of the concerns that people there have there are people who have come to those countries are non-assimilating. “That is not healthy for those immigrants. That is not healthy for those countries,” he said.

“So two things that both (India and the US) of our countries can do is one to call on Muslim leaders to denounce these individuals and insist to those come in our countries to assimilate and integrate. We have a pride history in doing that in America,” Jindal said, adding that he currently has no plans to travel to India. When asked about his potential presidential bid, Jindal said: “We are still thinking and would be making decision in next couple of months.”

Source:  DNA

USINPAC Congratulates Indian-American Rashad Hussain for getting appointed as a Special Envoy and Coordinator for Strategic Counterterrorism

Indian-American Rashad Hussain has been appointed Special Envoy and Coordinator for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications to expand global engagement and partnerships of the US to counter violent extremism, the state department has said.

Rashad Hussain37-year-old Hussain is currently the Special Envoy of the US to Organisation for Islamic Countries (OIC).

He will also serve as Coordinator of the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, established at the direction of President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010 to coordinate, orient, and inform government-wide strategic communications focused on violent extremists and terrorist organisations.

Before his role in OIC, Hussain was Deputy Associate Counsel to US President Barack Obama, focusing on national security, new media, and science and technology issues, it said yesterday.

He has also served as Director for Global Engagement at the National Security Council (NSC) and as a Special Assistant US Attorney in Washington, where he prosecuted criminal cases.

In 2009, Hussain worked with the NSC in developing and pursuing the New Beginning that Obama outlined in Egypt. Before joining the White House, he was a member of the legal staff for the Presidential Transition Team.

He previously served as a Trial Attorney at the US Department of Justice. Earlier in his career, he was a legislative assistant on the House Judiciary Committee, where he focused on national security-related issues.

Hussain received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Upon graduation, he served as a Law Clerk to Damon J Keith on the US Court of Appeals.

He also earned his Master’s degrees in Public Administration (Kennedy School of Government) and Arabic and Islamic Studies from Harvard University.

His academic writings have focused on national security, constitutional law, and civil liberties.

In January 2013, Hussain received the Distinguished Honor Award which was given for exceptionally outstanding service to the agencies of the US Government resulting in achievements of marked national or international significance.

Hussain, son of Indian immigrants from Bihar, is a Hafiz of the holy Quran. Hafiz is a term used for someone who has completely memorised the Quran.

Source: Business Standard

USINPAC Congratulates Indian American Punit Renjen for getting appointed as Global CEO of Deloitte

New York — Indian American Punit Renjen was appointed  the next CEO of U.S.-based accounting giant Deloitte’s global operations, becoming the first person of Indian origin to head a “Big-Four” audit firm.

Punit RenjenRenjen joins a growing list of persons of Indian origin like Indira Nooyi, Satya Nadella and Anshu Jain, who have made it to the top posts at multi-billion dollar global corporations like PepsiCo, Microsoft and Deutsche Bank, respectively.

Deloitte, which is present across 150 countries, including India, and employs over 200,000 people, is one of the four largest audit firms in the world and competes with PwC, KPMG and EY.

Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, Renjen will assume his new role of Deloitte Global Chief Executive Officer from June 1. He will succeed Barry Salzberg in this role and is currently serving as U.S. business chairman and CEO of the group.

“I am honored to have been elected as Deloitte Global’s next CEO,” Renjen said in a statement.

“Renjen’s leadership appointment is part of a rigorous and comprehensive nomination and member firm partner ratification process that occurs every four years and includes all member firms of the Deloitte worldwide network,” Deloitte said.

Renjen, who has been with Deloitte for over 27 years, grew up in India and holds a bachelor’s degree with honors and a master’s degree in management from Willamette University.

Renjen did his schooling at Lawrence School, Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh, after which he left for the U.S. to pursue higher studies.

He has held a number of leadership positions, including chairman and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP. In addition to being chairman of Deloitte LLP, he currently also serves as a member of the board of directors of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte Global), and as chairman of the Deloitte Foundation board of directors.

His new role would begin on the first day of Deloitte’s new fiscal year on June 1, 2015.

An earlier India-West report added that revenue at Deloitte, which seeks to expand in emerging markets like India, South America and Africa, grew 6.5% to $34.2 billion in the financial year ended May 31, led by a double-digit increase in consulting income.

The Indian arm of Deloitte, according to India-based LiveMint, has been one of the fastest growing divisions, posting a double-digit increase in revenue in the last financial year. Deloitte’s network includes 47 member firms operating in 150 countries and 200,000 employees.

Renjen was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Consultants” by Consulting magazine in 2007.

Source: India West

President Obama’s trip to India: Marching towards transforming US-India economic relationship

Obama in IndiaThe economic and political relationship between India and the
United states is quite appropriately a global strategic partnership. The world’s two largest democracies have much in common to constitute a comprehensive alliance. Perhaps the United States have many similar things in common with India compared to other Asian nations. The United States has much to acquire with a genial relationship from India. India is the quintessential multicultural country like the US. It is very different from countries like China and Japan, which are proud of their perceived ethnic and cultural purity and homogeneity.

Consistent political visits to India from the United States has provided sustained momentum to bilateral cooperation. President Barack Obama’s visit to India is certainly going to be a seminal moment for strategic ties between the two nations. When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Obama to be the chief guest at the Republic day, President Obama personally felt honored and accepted the invitation.

He believes this as a successful summit with PM Modi. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes mentioned that, “There’s a great affinity between the US and India and our people, but there’s also a history that is complicated and that would have made it seem highly unlikely that a US President would be sitting with India’s leaders at their Republic Day ceremony. And I think he sees this as a potentially transitional if not transformational moment for the relationship because we have a very strong and clear indication from India’s leadership that they want to elevate our bilateral cooperation and our global cooperation”.

INDIA-US-DIPLOMACYPresident Obama invited Congressman Ami Bera to travel to India with him on Air Force One. Congressman Bera will be a part of the delegation travelling on 24th January to New Delhi. They will be attending the Republic Day function and meet Indian ministers, government officials and policy advocates  to discuss further strengthening Indo-US strategic partnership. Stating his excitement to be a part of this historic trip, Congressman Ami Bera mentioned that, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the United States last year was a turning point in relations for our countries, and now this trip will be an important opportunity to continue to move the US-India relationship forward”.

Obama will also be accompanied by Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, Democratic Senator Mark Warner, cabinet members and other lawmakers to New Delhi, where they will attend the Republic Day event followed by the meeting with top policy makers from India on ways to increase investments in the US.