Ambassador of India visits Pittsburgh

Ambassador of India, Meera Shankar is welcomed to Pittsburgh for a two day visit:

On April 28th I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with TiE of Pittsburgh where Ambassador Shankar was speaking. This intimate breakfast of about 60 people enabled me to find out more about the relations between India and the United States.

Ambassador Shankar also visited the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and spoke to an audience of many. India and the US share about 25.5 Million in trade and India looks forward to continuing our good relations. Indian businesses are interested in investing in American companies here helping growth in both countries. The main national priority for India is to achieve social economic transformation and is inclusive. The foreign policy should help create an environment that strengthens trade and technical collaboration. The global downturn has not affected India as much as other countries. Exports were getting constrained and growth dipped to 6.7% and now the Indian economic growth has jumped to 8% in 2009 and 8.6% in 2010. The target for India is to achieve an average growth of 9 to 9.5%.

Pittsburgh is home to a vibrant Indian community that has played a key role in the city’s development as a professional, high tech economy. According to recent statistics, there are 28 local companies with operations in India in the Pittsburgh region, 6 Indian-owned firms, and 10 of the 25 largest Pittsburgh area minority-owned companies are owned by individuals from India or of Indian ancestry.

The Ambassador’s visit is a valuable opportunity to highlight Pittsburgh’s growing role in the global economy. Since hosting the G20 in 2009, the world has been watching Pittsburgh. The city was recently ranked as a leading location for future international investment by fDi magazine, a publication of the London-based Financial Times. Pittsburgh was ranked first overall in the large cities
category in the fDi 2011/2012 American Cities of the Future. (cited from recent PR for World Affairs Council)