US and India establish Gandhi-King Development Foundation

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The United States and India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to formally establish the Gandhi-King Development Foundation by October 2024.

The signing of the SOI occurred on June 17, 2024, coinciding with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India. The event marks a significant step forward the passage of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act by the US Congress in December 2020. Sponsored by Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the act empowered USAID to establish the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, said a statement from the US Embassy in New Delhi.

U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, noted, “The Gandhi-King Development Foundation represents a transformative partnership between the United States and India, rooted in the visionary ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The foundation underscores our shared commitment to forging global progress by leveraging our collective strengths.”

USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, who signed the Statement of Intent on behalf of USAID in New Delhi, said that, “USAID is proud to support the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will promote inclusive and sustainable development, symbolizing the friendship and common values of the United States and India.”

“I was glad to witness this important progress towards establishing the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will further strengthen the bonds between the United States and India” said Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory W. Meeks. The Foundation will honor two visionary leaders and leverage the strength of our private sectors to address important issues such as public health, climate change and air pollution, and the empowerment of women.”

“The Gandhi-King Development Foundation signifies a groundbreaking partnership between the United States and India to address global development challenges. It will operate locally in India, utilizing both public and private resources to advance India’s national and global development objectives” the statement noted adding the initiative aims to address matters such as climate change, reducing tuberculosis, and improving water and sanitation.