June 24, 2011, Washington, D.C.: Leader of the opposition party in India, Mr. Arun Jaitley met some of the leaders of Corporate America at a luncheon hosted by Alliance for US India Business (AUSIB)  in his honor at the Hay-Adams Hotel. It is Mr. Jaitley’s first official visit to the U.S. after he became leader of the opposition party.

Mr. Jaitley and the business leaders discussed several topics related to trade, which could further enhance the business ties between the two countries - reforms taking place in the insurance sector in India, the overall business climate of the nation and about ‘Doing Business in India’. Ease and transparency of doing business in India was one of the top-priority topics. Mr. Jaitley hoped that India continues the reform process to ensure that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increases over time.

The discussions were interactive and engaging. Several business leaders congratulated Mr. Jaitley on being open to their view points on reforms and easing the path for foreign companies to do business in India. Questions about the entry of professional services firms not being allowed into India were also raised. Guests from diversified industries and organizations such as Microsoft Corporation, SAP, Caterpillar, AT&T, Pfizer  and others attended the luncheon.

Mr. Sanjay Puri, President, AUSIB, congratulated Mr. Jaitley’s initiative in starting dialogues with the business leaders in the U.S. He said, “Mr. Jaitley’s step brings about a new paradigm in the evolving business scenario of both the U.S. and India. It is a great way to carry business forward and work towards a more cohesive business relationship.”

About AUSIB: The Alliance for U.S. India Business (AUSIB) is a leading non-profit trade association that offers a pathway to help your business succeed in the United States and India. AUSIB seeks to augment investment flows and trade between the U.S. and India and open new channels of communication between business and government leaders. For more information please visit http://www.ausib.org

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