US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Honors Mastercard CEO and President Ajay Banga and Wipro Chairman Azim Premji with Global Excellence Award
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) today announced that Mastercard CEO and President, Ajay Banga, and Wipro Chairman, Azim Premji, will receive the 2019 Global Excellence Awards at the USISPF Second Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. on July 11. Jared Kushner, Senior Adviser to the President of the United States, will present the awards during the Summit.
John Chambers, Chairman of the USISPF Board, said, “We are delighted to offer the prestigious Global Excellence Awards to the two business leaders who have significantly contributed to strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and India. Ajay has been an outstanding champion of the U.S.-India partnership, advancing the bilateral relationship across multiple transitions. Thanks to his work, along with Mastercard’s commitment to Digital India and Make in India, U.S. companies continue to regard India with a positive outlook.” Chambers further noted that, “Azim’s work to transform the Indian IT industry into a global powerhouse is a well-known fact. This award also recognizes his extraordinary philanthropic efforts, which reflect his mission to change lives through education. We could not think of a more exemplary leader for this award.”
“I am honoured by this award. It is equally a recognition for the deep commitment and contribution of my colleagues at Wipro and at the Foundation. USISPF represents the best in fostering the kind of collaborative spirit that is at the heart of our work and is required to tackle the biggest challenges being faced by society,” said Azim Premji, Wipro Chairman.
“I see India and the US as two countries born to be together, and while much progress has been made over the past decade, our bonds could be even stronger. That would take mutual commitments to continue investing in one another and to create more pathways for exchange. That’s where USISPF’s mission and work come in. I am proud of Mastercard’s involvement with the USISPF and our commitment to invest in India. It is an honor to be recognized by this great organization,” said Ajay Banga, president and chief executive officer of Mastercard.
Senior U.S. and Indian government officials attending the leadership summit include: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; Rick Perry, United States Secretary of Energy; Wilbur Ross, U.S. Commerce Secretary; Jeffrey Gerrish, Deputy United States Trade Representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Industrial Competitiveness; U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK); and India’s Ambassador to the United States, Harsh Shringla. The leadership summit will highlight areas of bilateral cooperation: trade and investment; strategic energy ties; manufacturing, and innovation partnership.
USISPF President Mukesh Aghi said, “This summit is a testament to the bipartisan support for U.S.-India relations. With Prime Minister Modi’s re-election, there is unprecedented opportunity and commitment to furthering our bilateral ties. USISPF’s second leadership summit is a convergence of the best minds in business and government that can together realize the untapped potential in our commercial and strategic ties. We look forward to discussions that will result in advancing growth in areas such as high technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and making concrete recommendations on growing economies of both countries.”
About the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF):
The U.S.-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.