Ravi Puli, founder and chair of the U.S.-India Solidarity Mission and Co-Founder of the Indian American Business Impact Group (IAMBIG), hosted a pre-departure luncheon in honor of Laura Williams, the incoming U.S. Consul General to Hyderabad. 

The gathering took place in Tysons Corner, Virginia, bringing together key members of the Indian American business community and diplomatic circles.

In her remarks, Williams laid out her strategic priorities to advance U.S.–India relations through “trust, technology, and talent mobility.”

Emphasizing the role of cybersecurity, she noted, “Cybersecurity is about trust between governments, businesses, and users. If we can build cyber warriors in Danville, Virginia, imagine the possibilities in Andhra Pradesh.” 

Her comments underscored the potential for collaboration in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and cybersecurity.

Highlighting Hyderabad’s growing importance in the global technology landscape, Williams added, “It’s no accident I’m heading to Hyderabad. It’s home to some of the world’s most dynamic tech giants — and we’re just getting started.”

Addressing the ongoing visa backlog, Williams acknowledged delays stemming from a temporary hiring freeze at the U.S. State Department. “We have 54 visa windows at our new Hyderabad consulate — a state-of-the-art facility — but not all are staffed yet,” she said. “I’m optimistic we’ll scale up again, and when we do, I want to streamline the process using automation and AI. I can’t wait to get nerdy about it.”

Williams also expressed her commitment to supporting U.S. business expansion in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha—the three Indian states under her jurisdiction. She extended her gratitude to the host, stating, “Ravi Puli is a masterful and gracious host. I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity. I truly enjoyed the warm conversations and the fabulous variety of food from the three states I’ll be serving.”

Reflecting on her longstanding connection to India, Williams shared memories of her first visit at age 13 and her early academic research in Rajasthan. “India captured my heart early on, and returning now with my husband and son to serve is a dream come true,” she said.

In his address, Ravi Puli praised Williams’ leadership and diplomatic acumen. “Laura brings a rare blend of experience and empathy. She understands our priorities — not just as Indian Americans, but as bridge-builders between two great democracies,” he said. 

He also highlighted the importance of engaging communities beyond major metropolitan areas. “Most of us come from Tier-2 towns. We received free education in India and built successful careers in the U.S. Now we want to give back — and Laura’s openness to engaging with semi-urban India is inspiring.”

During the luncheon, IAMBIG reiterated its strong commitment to strengthening U.S.–India engagement across federal, state, and grassroots levels.

The event concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting, featuring a welcome cake specially prepared by a Hyderabadi bakery based in Washington, D.C.—a symbolic gesture celebrating the cultural and culinary ties between the two countries.

Notable attendees included Indian American entrepreneurs, representatives from the Indian Embassy, CII, FICCI, USIBC, regional think tanks, and business leaders from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, the three states under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad.

Katherine B. Hadda, a senior associate (non-resident) with the Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, who most recently served as U.S. Consul General in Hyderabad, was also present at the event. 

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