Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet top American CEOs of global giants, including Apple, Microsoft and Google, here, with issues ranging from visas, investment and job creation expected to occupy centerstage during the discussions.
A day before Modi visits the White House for his first bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump, about 20 CEOs of global multinationals will meet the Indian leader for the CEOs Round Table at the Hotel Willard Intercontinental late in the evening (IST).
Modi arrived in the US capital today for his three-day visit during which he will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora at a relatively low-key community event in a Virginia suburb neighbouring Washington DC.
The CEOs round table is expected to be attended by Apple chief Tim Cook, Walmart head Doug McMillon, Caterpillar’s Jim Umpleby, Google head Sundar Pichai and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella.
Others in attendance include Mariott International chief Arne Sorenson, Johnson & Johnson’s Alex Gorsky, Mastercard’s Ajay Banga, Warburg Pincus’s Charles Kaye and Carlyle Group’s David Rubenstein.
Modi will deliver opening and closing remarks at the meeting and will also hear from each chief executive present at the meeting.
With Modi’s visit coming against the backdrop of concerns among the Indian IT industry as well as among the Indian immigrants over the H1-B work visas, the issue could feature among the discussions at the meeting with the CEOs. Given Modi’s focus on ‘Make in India’, job creation in India will also be a key agenda.
The discussions could also include the post- demonetisation macroeconomic scenario in India and the potential gains through the GST rollout from next month.
