Mission aims to discuss collaboration and best practices in homeland security; demonstrate “cutting edge” technology at INDESEC Expo 2010

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The U.S.–India Business Council will embark on its inaugural Homeland Security Executive Mission to coincide with INDESEC Expo 2010 (managed by Informa India) in New Delhi, India from September 6-9. This exploratory mission comes on the heels of nine aerospace & defense executive missions to India since 2001 promoting a deeper defense and strategic partnership between the U.S. and India. On the ground, USIBC will engage with AMCHAM-India and ASSOCHAM to facilitate industry interaction.

The mission is being led by Admiral James Loy, Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group and a former Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard. Notably, Admiral Loy stood up the Transportation Security Administration in the aftermath of the “9-11” terrorist attacks. He will be joined by Lt. General Harry Raduege, Chairman of the Deloitte Center for Cyber Innovation and former Director, Defense Information Systems Agency. General Raduege also serves as co-chairman of the Commission on Cyber security for the 44th Presidency and is one the country’s eminent experts in this field. They will be joined by a robust delegation of America’s premier defense/security and cyber security/IT companies.

“Washington and New Delhi share a common interest in opposing extremism, defeating terrorist networks, swiftly responding to natural disasters, and countering the spread of WMD through maritime cooperation, security exchanges, and identifying new technologies to intensify our partnership. This mission paves the way for stronger collaboration in these vital areas in advance of President Obama’s November visit,” USIBC President Ron Somers said. Mr. Somers also added that by participating at INDESEC 2010, U.S. companies would be able to demonstrate their latest-grade, proven products to help India develop disaster management strategies, effectively protect critical infrastructure, defend against terrorist attacks, and counter the growing threat from the Maoist insurgency.

At the June 3rd U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue held in Washington, DC, External Affairs Minister Krishna and Secretary of State Clinton reiterated their shared goal of advancing security and stability across Asia, in particular, through the emergence of an open, balanced, and inclusive architecture of cooperation in the region.

Both Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton heralded the unprecedented and expanding India-U.S. counterterrorism partnership, as embodied in the recently signed U.S.-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative, to enhance collaboration, information sharing, and capacity building.

“The 9-11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington galvanized the U.S private sector to develop cutting edge, innovative technologies in meeting the country’s emerging homeland security needs. Similarly, it is industry – both U.S. and Indian – that can most appropriately respond to urgent requirements in India, be it to fight the scourge of terrorism, respond to natural disasters or protect secure networks from cyber attacks,” said USIBC’s Director for Aerospace & Defense, Nik Khanna. All of this builds on the already-unprecedented level of U.S-India collaboration at the government level since the 2008 Mumbai “26-11” terror attacks.

Mr. Khanna also added that “U.S. industry’s participation in, and support of, India’s security sector will not only provide India with the best equipment, but will also boost job creation in both countries through technology sharing, partnerships, and high-end manufacturing.”

The U.S.-India Business Council, formed in 1975 at the request of the Government of India and the U.S. Government to advance commercial ties between the world’s two largest free-market democracies, is hosted under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region. For more information please visit www.usibc.com.

CONTACT:

U.S.–India Business Council
Nik Khanna, Director (Aerospace & Defense)
+1 202-463-5709
nkhanna@uschamber.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  Asia Pacific  North America  District of Columbia  India

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Public Policy/Government  Homeland Security  Other Policy Issues  Manufacturing  Public Policy  Aerospace  White House/Federal Government  Defense  Other Defense

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