Executive Chairman of the Indian American International Chamber of Commerce (IAICC), Appen Menon emphasized the Chamber’s role as a “catalyst,” for the growth of businesses in both the United States and India through meaningful trade collaborations.
Speaking at the plenary session of the 2025 IAICC Convention on May 2nd, at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington D.C., Menon noted that IAICC facilitates access to critical U.S. and Indian government and business resources.
The Convention held from May 2-3, discussed the uncertainties faced by business communities in both the US and India stemming from the broad economic landscape and potential policy changes under the new administration. The Convention also addressed the impact on various sectors including AI, Science & Technology, Security & Defense, Energy, and Health & Pharmaceuticals.
Menon stated that the Convention is designed to provide IAICC members and attendees with a valuable opportunity to understand and leverage public and private sector resources.
“Our idea of having an annual convention is to present to the membership and the participants a unique opportunity to understand the available resources in the public sectors and private sectors and take advantage of them,” he said. “The Convention gives an opportunity to network with the peers at the state and national levels in both the United States and India.”
He further reiterated IAICC’s mission: to provide members with access to senior government officials in both countries, business and industry leaders, educational institutions, and business capital – efforts that are aimed at fostering a thriving Indian American business ecosystem.
Managing Director of Hitech Corporation Ltd, Malav Ashwin Dani, opened his keynote address with a brief meditation session. He centered his speech around the themes of “connect, collaborate, and innovate.” Dani remarked, “Three deceptively simple words, but deeply profound in their implications of our shared future.”
He reflected on the lessons of the pandemic, particularly the global collaborations that led to massive vaccine production.
“We must replicate the spirit of joint purpose in critical sectors, from clean energy and semiconductors to cybersecurity, digital health, and, of course, artificial intelligence,” he said. “Our collaboration must also have a compass. It must aim not just at commercial success, but shared well-being. It must bridge, not just economies, but communities.”
Chairman of IAICC – U.S. & Mid-Atlantic Region, Shankar Rachakonda, noted that the Convention is taking place in Washington DC at a crucial juncture in the US political and trade landscape. The change in presidential administration, an uncertain economic outlook, technology changes, and changing global trade with tariffs present new opportunities and challenges for the evolving relationship between the US and India, as well as the broader business community, he said.
According to Rachakonda while the US-India relationship continues to strengthen due to evolving geopolitical realities, the Convention will assess the economic implications of the new administration’s priorities.
He further underscored the importance of U.S.-India ties in shaping a robust trade and commerce environment. He emphasized IAICC’s commitment to supporting both large businesses and small entrepreneurs and by promoting collaboration through events, education, and entrepreneurship. He encouraged attendees to consider joining IAICC to benefit from its growing network.
Founding Chairman Emeritus of IAICC, KV Kumar, praised the current leadership, noting that building and sustaining a chamber is as important as founding it. He commended the efforts of Menon, Rachakonda, Glenn Falcao, and others in strengthening IAICC.
Secretary – IAICC, USA & Board Member Falcao emphasized that the Chamber’s primary goal for the convention was to deliver “value” to attendees. “If you get value out of it, you will hopefully join the chamber so we can do more events like these and other networking events,” he said.
Following the plenary session, the convention hosted multiple panel discussions addressing critical issues in business and technology.
In the first panel, titled “Strategies for Success in a Challenging Business Environment,” Executive Vice President of the Civilian Business Group at SAIC, Srinivas Attili, shared practical advice for small businesses. Moderated by Srikant K. Sastry, CEO of STRATrockers LLC, the session addressed challenges faced due to shifting government policies and rapid technological change.
Attili noted that despite external challenges, businesses with a strong value proposition centered on talent, expertise, or relationships continue to thrive. “But fundamentally, if you can add value, I don’t think there is a risk…” he added.
The second panel, “AI and Emerging Technology – An Opportunity to Modernize Federal Government,” featured Pavan Pidugu, Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Pidugu stressed the importance of building tools that are “fit for purpose” and “fit for use,” whether for internal or external users.
Recently appointed to lead the department’s technology initiatives by Secretary Sean Duffy, Pidugu stressed AI can be used in many areas in day-to-day functions for efficiency purposes.
He outlined key areas where AI can improve operations, particularly in cybersecurity and federal processes. He further suggested integrating AI with threat defense systems and using it to automatically fix vulnerabilities, many of which currently require manual intervention. AI could also streamline repetitive compliance tasks and paperwork.
Additionally, according to him, given the high volume of public input received by Secretary Duffy on social platforms, AI could help synthesize and analyze this feedback efficiently. Overall, AI presents significant opportunities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across various domains in the transportation sector, he added.
The convention also featured a well-attended Lunch Panel titled “Women in Leadership,” moderated by Sudha Mathew and featuring panelists Alka Bhave, Carmenlita Scott, and Bhavana Rakesh. Several other sessions continued over the course of the two-day event, reflecting IAICC’s ongoing commitment to community building, innovation, and economic empowerment.
At the Gala Dinner & Reception on May 2nd, KV Kumar was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership.
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