PRIVATE INVITATION - Growing the U.S.-India Relationship: Bilaterally and Regionally
VIEW EVENT DETAILSAsia Society India Centre is hosting a private event with US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell and President of Asia Society Vishakha Desai. At this event, we will gather to bid fond farewell to Vishakha Desai in honour of her 22 years of distinguished service at Asia Society, as she steps down as President this September. The programme will also launch the Desai-Oxnam Innovation Fund, in recognition of the 39-year long combined service of former Asia Society Presidents Vishakha Desai and Robert Oxnam, to provide support towards major Asia Society India Centre initiatives that work to create deeper understandings and connections across the Asia-Pacific. Ambassador Powell and Dr. Desai will engage in a discussion on Growing the U.S.-India Relationship: Bilaterally and Regionally.
Ambassador Nancy J. Powell arrived April 19, 2012 following her March 29 confirmation by the United States Senate as the first female US Ambassador to India. Ambassador Powell holds the highest rank in the US Foreign Service, with the title of Career Ambassador. Prior to President Barack Obama’s nominating her as Ambassador to India, Ambassador Powell served in a range of positions, including Director General of the Foreign Service, Director of Human Resources, Ambassador to Nepal, Pakistan, Ghana and Uganda, National Intelligence Officer for South Asia at the National Intelligence Council, State Department’s Senior Coordinator for Avian Influenza, and Acting Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Activities. Other prior assignments also include Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangladesh and Togo, Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Consul General in Calcutta, and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at U.S. Embassy New Delhi.
Vishakha Desai is the President and CEO of Asia Society, in which capacity she sets the direction for the Society’s diverse programmes ranging from major U.S.-Asia policy initiatives and national educational partnerships to path-breaking art exhibitions and Asian American performances. She is a frequent speaker and writer for international forums and publications on subjects that include US-Asia relationships and cultural roots of Asian economic development. As a scholar of Asian art, she has published and edited numerous books and articles on traditional and contemporary art. Prior to assuming her current position, Desai held several positions at Asia Society, first as Director of its Museum, and then as Vice President for Arts and Cultural Programs and as Senior Vice President of the Society. Before joining Asia Society in 1990, she was a curator at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the head of Public Programs and Academic Affairs. She has also taught at the University of Massachusetts, Boston University, Columbia University and Williams College.
Entry to this event is restricted to personal invitees only.