Seattle University hosting conference on building economic and political bridges with India.

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Seattle University is hosting Seattle-Setu on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, a conference that showcases what the University says is Seattle’s “pivotal role in building economic and political bridges with India.”

Seattle-Setu is scheduled to be held just prior to the G20 gathering of global leaders in New Delhi on Sept. 9.

According to organizers, The strategic partnership between India and the United States to promote global security, trade and investment has never been stronger.

“As both India and the United States struggle with common challenges – such as climate change and threats to our democratic institutions – there is a great deal that we can learn from one another,” Eduardo Peñalver, Seattle University’s president, is quoted saying in the news release. “Our hope is that the Seattle-Setu conference will highlight the importance of India to this region and position Seattle University as a convenor for conversations about India and U.S.-India relations and as a bridge between the greater Seattle community and the world’s largest democracy,” .

The conference will highlight the benefits Indian companies bring to Washington state’s economy and investments flowing from the state to India. Seattle-Setu will bring together a variety of high-level speakers including elected leaders in US like Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, and from India, legal experts, philanthropic organizations, social entrepreneurs and other business representatives.

Schedule of events:

7:30 A.M. TO 8:30 A.M. — REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

8:30 A.M. TO 9:15 A.M. — WELCOME REMARKS

• Senator Manka Dhingra, 45th Legislative District (Redmond), Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate
• Mayor Bruce Harrell, City of Seattle
• Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
• Eduardo Peñalver, President, Seattle University

9:15 A.M. TO 10:45 A.M. — PANEL PRESENTATION

Global Collaborations: Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

Moderator

• Brian Surratt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Seattle Partners

Panelists

• Avik Bhattacharya, Director, Global Strategy and Market Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
• Samir Kumar, Vice President, International Consumer, Amazon
• Raj Shah, Founder, Shah Safari
• Anand Swaminathan, Executive Vice President and Global Industry leader, Infosys Communications, Media and Technology

11 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M. — PANEL PRESENTATION

Navigating the Legal Landscape: Empowering Businesses for Transnational Success

Moderator

• Judge Ketu Shah, King County Superior Court

Panelists

• Pratibha Jain, General Counsel and Head of Strategy, Everstone Group
• Pallavi Mehta Wahi, co-U.S. and Seattle Managing Partner, K&L Gates
• Pallavi Shroff, Managing Partner, National Practice Head, Dispute Resolution, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
• Anurag Varma, Head of Global Government and Policy, Infosys

12:30 P.M. TO 1:15 P.M. — LUNCH

1:15 P.M. TO 1:50 P.M. — DISTINGUISHED KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Opportunities for Seattle’s Engagement with India

• S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, 7th Congressional District of Washington

2 PM TO 3:30 PM — PANEL PRESENTATION

Empowering Change: Impact on Social & Economic Development in India

Moderator

• Meenakshi Rishi, Professor, Department of Economics, Seattle University

Panelists

• Prakriti Poddar, Global Head, Mental Health and Wellbeing, RoundGlass Foundation
• Dilip Wagle, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company; social entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Arun Lakhani, Chairman & Managing Director, Vishvaraj Group
• Ankur Vora, Chief Strategy Officer, Gates Foundation

4 P.M. TO 4:45 P.M. — KEYNOTE ADDRESS

U.S.-India Relations: Past, Present and Future

• Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for India, U.S. State Department

5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. — SEATTLE UNIVERSITY ROUNDGLASS INDIA CENTER RECEPTION & DINNER

During the dinner program, the RoundGlass India Center at Seattle University will be inaugurated. Its goal is to convene dialogues about India in the Pacific Northwest, Sital Kalantry, professor of Law, Associate Dean at the Seattle University School of Law, and Executive Director of Roundglass India Center, is quoted saying in the news release.

Democracy, Development and Dialogue: Three Pillars of India-US Relations

• Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)

Philanthropy and the Indian-American Community

• Sunny Singh, Founder, Edifecs

For more information on the conference, panelist bios and registration, visit Seattle-Setu.