Despite the devastating terror attack on Mumbai, the US-India Business Council has decided to take its largest ever trade delegation of American commercial nuclear executives to India in January next year.
The delegation consisting of the Nuclear Energy Institute and the US Department of Commerce was to travel to India late last month, but it was postponed after the US State Department issued a warning against Americans travelling to India, mainly to Mumbai, that was one of the main destinations of USIBC besides New Delhi.
"India's emergence from 34 years of nuclear isolation is an exemplary achievement," said USIBC President, Ron Somers. "But the resilience and bravery and remarkable restraint demonstrated across the country after the recent terrorist strikes in Mumbai are what make us so proud to be associated with India," Somers said.
"US companies look forward, more than ever, to forming linkages with Indian counterparts to share technologies that will benefit all humanity as we strengthen our economic bonds for the 21st Century," he said.
He said that the US industry is a reliable partner for India, and the USIBC is proud to demonstrate again its solidarity, USIBC Director Ted Jones said.
Since rescheduling the mission Nov 27, USIBC and NEI have augmented the delegation with additional leading US commercial nuclear suppliers. In total, the delegation will include more than 50 senior executives representing more than 30 of the world's leading commercial nuclear companies.
The delegation is to meet with senior Indian Government officials, the leaders of India's top Public Sector Undertakings and senior executives' counterparts from rising global companies in India.
The aim of the mission is to learn how US commercial nuclear suppliers can continue partnership with India in the expansion of nuclear power.
Last month after rescheduling the mission Somers said that USIBC members felt it would be better to reschedule the mission "when full attention and focus can be on building the country's nuclear infrastructure sector together - as partners - which had been this mission's objective."
"We salute the bravery exhibited during this crisis by the police, the commandos, and the fire brigades, the hotel staffs of the Oberoi and Taj and by the people of Mumbai. More than ever we are all Mumbaikers on this day -- standing as one against this senseless and cowardly act of terror. Our prayers go out to all who have lost their loved ones," Somers told the night of the attack in Mumbai. "Jai Mumbai! We are all with you at this hour of tragedy," he said.
