Dear High Tech Industry Representative:

We would like to inform you that the United States and India will be holding their second public-private forum on enhancing U.S.-India high technology cooperation on November 19, 2003, in Bangalore, India. The forum will take place at Hotel Leela Palace in Bangalore, and will be a continuation and enhancement of our previous “Financing Innovation Forum” held on July 1, 2003 in Washington, D.C., in which issues critical to the furtherance of the U.S.-India high technology relationship were discussed. As someone with an interest in the U.S.-India relationship, we extend an invitation to you to participate in this important follow-up event.

The November 19 forum is the public-private component of the second gathering of the High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). Government to government meetings will be held in New Delhi on November 20, 2003. The HTCG was initiated as part of President Bush’s and Prime Minister Vajpayee’s desire to strengthen and stimulate bilateral high technology commerce between their two countries. The HTCG consists of senior representatives from both governments and seeks to identify steps to foster the environment for U.S.-India high technology to flourish. The inaugural HTCG meeting was held in July 2003 in Washington, D.C.

The format for the November 19 meeting will be similar to that of the July 1 forum. There will be introductions from senior officials from both the Indian and U.S. governments, a plenary session panel discussion, and breakout sessions. This plenary session panel discussion will address the subject of intellectual property and the breakout sessions, once again, will focus on biotechnology/life sciences, defense technology, and information/nano-technology. Your expertise and participation in the forum would help guide us in our efforts to expand the U.S.-India high technology relationship.

There is no charge for participation in the forum, though pre-registration is required and you will need to make your own travel and hotel reservations. Space is limited, so please fax the attached response form to Ingrid Belton of the U.S.-India Business Council at (202) 463-3173. Should you have any questions, please contact Ms. Belton at (202) 463-5789 or ibelton@uschamber.com. We look forward to meeting with you in July for very productive discussions.

Go to Response Form | PDF of Invitation Letter