Leadership Award for "Global Vision" 2007 To Be Awarded Wednesday

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) will award Reliance Industries founder Mukesh Ambani and Boeing chairman, president and CEO of the Boeing Company James W. McNerney with the USIBC leadership award for "Global Vision" 2007 in Washington.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will also be honored with the USIBC Distinguished Service Award.

The award ceremony is part of the two-day USIBC 32nd anniversary summit at the US Chambers of Commerce, according to a statement from Washington. US Trade Representative Susan Schwab and Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath will also be in attendance.

Sources in India said Ambani would meet three top US officials, including Rice, at the event and was likely to hold discussions on a range of issues such as outsourcing and energy security, reported the Indo-Asian News Service.

"Discussions are also likely on alternative energy sources in the wake of growing international concerns over global warming," the sources added.

US Commerce Secretary Carlos Guteirrez will deliver the inaugural speech.

Rice will deliver the keynote speech, "Uniting Two Great Democracies for the 21st Century."

The summit will begin Tuesday with the 32nd Anniversary Cultural Recital and Gala Dinner at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with a sarod (an Indian classical musical instrument) recital by Maestro Amjad Ali Khan.

The Washington-headquartered USIBC, a premier advocacy organization, promotes economic reforms to deepen trade relations and broaden commercial ties between the two countries.

"USIBC formulates an annual work plan that targets specific issues important to its 250 member-companies, compiled from progress on-the-ground and to devise strategies and prepare representations to advance sector-specific reforms in India," according to Council President Somers.

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