The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is pleased to announce the addition of Richard Verma, former U.S. Ambassador to India and current Vice Chairman of The Asia Group, to its Board today. The USISPF Board continues to attract high-caliber members who serve as both prominent business leaders and global influencers with an ability to impact international relations and corporate affairs worldwide.
Ambassador Verma, the 25th U.S. Ambassador to India, brings a wealth of experience to his position on the Board. During his tenure as Ambassador, he championed increased U.S.-India relations and made impactful strides in defense, trade, and clean energy. He oversaw an unprecedented 9 meetings between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi – leading to over 100 new initiatives and more than 40 government-to-government dialogues. In addition, he was the first U.S. Ambassador to Indiato visit all Indian states during his time in the role.
Ambassador Verma's confirmation hearing in December 2014 garnered bi-partisan enthusiasm, and he was swiftly appointed after his nomination by President Obama. His experience working on Capitol Hill and position as the first Indian-American nominated for the role fostered nearly universal support during the nomination process.
Ambassador Verma currently serves as Vice Chairman of The Asia Group, where he leads the firm's growth in South Asia. In addition to this role, Ambassador Verma is a Centennial Fellow at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and he co-chairs the Center for American Progress' U.S.-India Task Force.
Prior to serving as Ambassador to India, he served as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs at the Department of State, and he served for many years as the Senior Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader. He was also a National Security Fellow at the Center for American Progress and a member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Commission, where he was a co-author of their landmark report, "World at Risk." He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and his military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. Ambassador Verma is the recipient of the State Department's Distinguished Service Award, the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship, and was ranked by India Abroad as one of the 50 most influential Indian Americans.
In addition to his public service, Ambassador Verma brings to bear a distinguished career in the private sector. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of The Asia Group, and he previously served as a partner in a major global law firm for many years, and he also led the South Asia practice of a Washington-based consulting firm.
Ambassador Verma's extensive career and long-standing knowledge of foreign policy makes him an invaluable addition to the USISPF Board. Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President of USISPF, commended this significant addition to the Board, "Rich Verma is one of the most profoundly influential individuals for U.S.-India relations, and we could not be more honored and excited to welcome him to the USISPF Board, a powerful group that will undoubtedly make serious strides in partnership and trade growth between the United States and India."
Ambassador Verma added, "While serving as Ambassador to India, I saw first-hand the exciting work that U.S. companies are doing across India and in cooperation with domestic partners. The USISPF provides a critical platform to advance commercial ties, and I am delighted to join the Board of this new leading organization."
While promoting trade is an important pillar of the organization's work, it also focuses on promoting job creation, inclusion, start-ups, innovation, and education. USISPF works to create the most powerful strategic relationship between the United States and India, and believes this can be achieved by business and government coming together to create meaningful opportunities that have the power to change the lives of citizens.
As champions of the U.S.-India commercial and strategic partnership, we believe there is an unprecedented opportunity for business communities in both countries to play a larger role in the next chapter of this important bilateral partnership. USISPF is uniquely suited to work together with leaders in the United States and India to achieve our shared goals. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USISPF has offices in New York, Silicon Valley, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
About the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF):
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum is committed to creating the most powerful strategic partnership between the U.S. and India. Promoting bilateral trade is an important part of our work, but our mission reaches far beyond this. It is about business and government coming together in new ways to create meaningful opportunities that have the power to change the lives of citizens.
