iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
To explore the relationship between Washington and India and promote global security, trade, and investment Seattle University will host the Seattle-Setu conference on September 6. The conference will showcase Seattle’s pivotal role in building economic and political bridges with India.
The conference will highlight the benefits Indian companies bring to Washington state’s economy and investments flowing from the state to India. Leading social entrepreneurs from the region will discuss the social impact of their initiatives. Seattle University will also launch the RoundGlass India Center at the conference which will be dedicated to further strengthening business, education, philanthropy, and other collaborative efforts between Washington and India.
Seattle-Setu and the new Roundglass India Center aim to build on the deep connections Seattle University has with India, including faculty research and student and faculty engagement with India.
The conference will feature Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) of the U.S. State Department, and members of parliament in India, among many other leaders. The event will begin with welcoming remarks from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and include panel discussions and two afternoon keynote addresses – US representative Pramila Jayapal of the 7th district of Washington will deliver a keynote address on opportunities for Seattle to engage with India and later Jackson will deliver remarks about the past, present and future of U.S.-India relations.
“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,” explains Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver. “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.”
Legal experts from India and the United States will share insights on cross-border business at the conference and leading social entrepreneurs from Puget Sound will discuss the social impact of their initiatives, including Sunny Singh the founder of Edifecs and the RoundGlass Foundation.
“The strengthening geopolitical relationship between India and the U.S. opens new possibilities for trade, investment, and growth,” says Sital Kalantry, Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and International Programs at Seattle University School of Law. “Conference attendees will gain knowledge about the business opportunities that have emerged with enhanced India-U.S. relations, how to navigate the legal landscape in India when doing business there, and the ways that nonprofits are contributing to poverty alleviation and growth in India.”
