USIBC Marks 50 Years with Diwali Celebration in Washington DC, Highlighting Strength of US-India Relations

by T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman October 21, 2025

By T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman October 21, 2025 0 comments 3 minutes read

Indian Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, addressing the gathering on October 20, 2025, at The Top of the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. PHOTO: T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, SAH

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) hosted a Diwali Reception and celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 20, 2025, at The Top of the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. The evening highlighted the steady progress and deepening ties between the United States and India.

Indian Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, who served as the Guest of Honor, reflected on the symbolic meaning of Diwali, the festival of lights. “Light means different things for different people,” he said, noting that two universal aspects of light are “good health” and “prosperity.”

Ambassador Kwatra added that light also signifies “momentum” – particularly when referring to the vibrant communities in both nations that continue to advance the bilateral relationship.

He observed that the “nature of the relationship, the trajectory of ties, the substance of engagement” and the areas of collaboration between the two countries have grown naturally over time. A key driver of this momentum, he said, has been the USIBC and its members.

**Indian Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, lighting the traditional lamp on October 20, 2025, at The Top of the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. PHOTO: T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, SAH**

“So, one of the things which is light for us is the continuing, strong and growing investment partnership with our business partners in the USIBC,” he remarked. “So for us, me, as a country, that would be one of the lights that we look to brighten further as we go along.”

Ambassador Kwatra identified the finalization of a US-India trade deal as another “light” that would further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Beyond trade, he cited capital flows, technology partnerships, and societal linkages as vital elements contributing to the “brightness of the relationship.”

Calling for renewed commitment, he urged attendees “to not just sustain the momentum of progress in our eyes, but also to use this as a foundation to build the next steps, to do what we do, what the businesses do well.”

Former USIBC President Nisha Biswal commended current President Atul Keshap and his team for their accomplishments and impact.

“I think as we stand here on this 50th anniversary, it’s incredible to see the reach, the impact, and really the resilience of the USIBC and what it means on the US Indian corridor,” she said. “I think what USIBC and the Chamber have really strived to do is, place the economic partnership between our two countries at the very heart of the strategic partnership, and the ways in which that can advance not only our individual economies, but collectively the global economy.”

Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the US Chamber of Commerce, Neil Bradley, described the bilateral relationship as one founded on mutual “friendship, growth, and respect.” He called it a “path of light,” adding that “it is now our time at the US Chamber, USIBC, and between our two countries, to continue to grow that light for everything that it means for our people.”

Founder and Executive Chairman of APCO Worldwide, Margery Kraus, shared her company’s two-decade experience working with Indian partners and expressed optimism for future collaboration.

“APCO has been involved in India for more than 20 years, and what we’ve been doing is trying to be a bridge, providing assistance for companies going into India and helping Indian companies navigate Washington…” she said.