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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US Affairs News India Times (March 8, 2025 - March 14, 2025) March 14, 2025 6 Ambassador Richard R. Verma Rejoins Mastercard To Oversee Law, Government Affairs & Policy And Franchise M astercard announced top personnel changes February 26, 2025, including the appoint- ment of former Ambassador to India Richard Verma. It also appointed TimMurphy as vice chair. Verma replaces Murphy, who has served as chief administrative officer since 2021, will oversee a range of stra- tegically important initiatives, including the company’s relationships with global regulators, Mastercard said. As Murphy is elevated to this new role, Richard R. Verma returns to Mastercard as chief administrative officer to oversee the company’s Law, Government Affairs & Policy, Franchise, Corporate Security, Inclusion & Belonging, and Transforma- tion, Risk & Operations (TRO) functions. He will also join the Executive Leadership Team and Management Committee, the press release fromMastercard said. Both positions are effective May 1 and will report to Michael Miebach, Master- card’s CEO. “I am delighted to welcome Rich back to Mastercard,” Miebach added. “He has had a unique view on the topics impact- ing people and economies across the globe. Our business and our customers will benefit from his extensive experience and leadership in many ways.” Verma most recently served as the U.S. deputy secretary of state for Management and Resources. In this role, he was chief operating officer of the department, lead- ing the department’s efforts on modern- ization, workforce and strategic issues. Prior to his earlier tenure at Mastercard as the chief legal officer and head of Global Public Policy (2020-2023), Verma served as the U.S. ambassador to India, assistant secretary of state for Legislative Affairs, and national security advisor to the Sen- ate Majority Leader. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and the recipient of numerous military awards and civilian decorations. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:Twitter @RichardRVerma Ambassador Richard Verma US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Hosts Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont During India Trade Mission T he US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) hosted Connecti- cut Governor Ned Lamont and his delegation in Mumbai, India, as part of an economic development mis- sion to India from February 23 to March 1, 2025. The delegation, consisting of state officials, business leaders, and academic representatives, engaged with key govern- ment officials and corporate executives to explore opportunities for strengthening economic ties between Connecticut and India. The delegation included Connecticut Economic and Community Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe; former PepsiCo Chairperson and USISPF Advisor Indra Nooyi; UConn President Radenka Maric; Yale University Vice Provost for Research Michael Crair; Connecticut Innovations CEO Matthew McCooe; and representatives from Advance Con- necticut, a nonprofit focused on business growth in the state. Addressing USISPF members and industry leaders, Governor Lamont high- lighted Connecticut’s business-friendly policies and investment opportunities, according to President & CEO of USISPF, Mukesh Aghi. Lamont emphasized the state’s strong financial services sector, noting Hartford’s reputation as the insur- ance capital of the world. Connecticut’s strengths in manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, and IT services were also key points in discussions aimed at attracting Indian tech firms, the Governor af- firmed adding that the meetings fostered dialogue on deepening commercial ties between India and the U.S. at state and local levels, paving the way for future col- laborations. The delegation met with Indian compa- nies interested in expanding their opera- tions to North America, making the case for Connecticut as an ideal base. They also engaged with Indian firms already established in the state, such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services. In addition, the delegation met with executives from several Indian companies that are already operating in the Con- stitution state, such as Infosys and Tata Consulting. “Connecticut and India have many unique connections, and we want to strengthen that bond and increase it to its full economic potential,” said Governor Lamont. In addition to one-on-one meetings with corporate decision makers represent- ing Indian companies, the delegation also participated in events such as Venture Clash, a roundtable discussion on quan- tum computing. Overall, the delegation had 4 round- tables and business meetups; 14 attended the QuantumAI roundtable; 8 attended a Deloitte roundtable; 26 attended CG High Tea Networking; 13 attended the MOU signing with Tamil Nadu; 21 attended business roundtable luncheon; 11 Busi- ness attraction and business retention/ expansions; and 12 meetings with start-up companies and VCs. Additionally, the delegation attended dinner meetings hosted by Consuls General and top Indian executives, further strengthening business relationships. “The socio-economic ties between Connecticut and India are strong. Indians make up the second-largest foreign-born population in the state, and Connecticut has the seventh highest population of Indian residents proportionally in the United States, with numerous Indian cultural groups operating in every corner of the state,” added Governor Lamont in a statement. “As a result of this, Connecticut receives the ninth most tourism dollars spent by Indian travelers per capita in the United States.” The Governor also highlighted the prominence of Indian students in Con- necticut’s education sector. Of the 19,990 international students in the state, 7,200 hail from India, making it the top country of origin. Indian students account for 36.5 per cent of Connecticut’s international student population, surpassing the na- tional average of 29.4 per cent. “Connecticut has been successful at attracting Indian technology companies, especially fintech and insurtech com- panies that have clients in Hartford and Stamford,” Commissioner O’Keefe said. “We also have the advantage of an excel- lent location, from which these compa- nies can easily access their clients in the large metro areas of Montreal, Toronto, NewYork, and Boston, from a Connecti- cut-based headquarters location.” “We have a number of Indian com- panies operating in Connecticut,” John Bourdeaux, president and CEO of Ad- vance Connecticut, said. “Equally, there are several Connecticut-headquartered companies with operations in India, including Amphenol and Stanley Black & Decker, among others. Creating stronger connections with Indian business leaders will be a win-win for the state and for the companies. Indian companies integrate successfully into the Connecticut business ecosystem and the Connecticut economy benefits greatly from their growing busi- nesses.” Infosys CEO Salil Parekh, a board mem- ber of Advance Connecticut, hosted the delegation during their visit. In addition to Mumbai, the delegation traveled to Chennai and Bangalore, further broaden- ing their engagement with India’s business community. -(Used under special arrangement with SAH) PHOTOS:USISPF,CourtesySAH Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont speaking at an event in Mumbai. Indra Nooyi speaking at the Mumbai event. USISPF head Mukesh Aghi speaking at the Mumbai event with Connecticut Gov:. Ned Lamont. By T.Vishnudatta Jayaraman, South Asian Herald