Meridian Global Insights Mission India – February 1-8, 2020

Overview

Meridian International Center will conduct a Meridian Global insights Mission to India on February 1-8, 2020.

This diplomatic mission provides delegation members with a unique opportunity and first-hand context of Meridian’s mission of strengthening diplomacy and U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, ideas and culture. With a core foundation in the rule of law and democratic principles, the United States and India remain critical diplomatic partners.

Meridian maintains close ties to the world’s fastest growing economy though relationships with India’s government, trade associations, businesses and Department of State programs. In May 2018, Meridian’s Corporate Council hosted His Excellency Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Ambassador of India to the United States, to discuss economic relations, the Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement has hosted Indian cultural events, and the Meridian Global Leadership Council has broken bread at the Punjab Grill in Washington while learning about ethnic and culinary tradition. Now, Meridian looks forward to exploring the important relationship between the U.S. and India through an immersive experience focusing on India’s history, politics, economy, culture, and religious and civic issues.

The 7-night/8-day trip will take delegates through the territory of Delhi to meet with government and diplomatic officials in the capital. The trip will also include an excursion to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. A preliminary schedule is included below and details on confirmed activities and arrangements will be provided as the program evolves.

Purpose

The Meridian Global Insights Mission provides delegation members a unique opportunity and first-hand context of Meridian’s mission of strengthening diplomacy and U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, ideas and culture by:

  • Exploring the important relationship between the United States and India, one of our country’s oldest allies, by learning about India’s history, politics, economy, culture, religious and civic issues;
  • Encouraging people-to-people exchange through interactions with India’s government and business leaders as well as civil society leaders, scholars and historians;
  • Empowering delegates to serve as citizen diplomats to further the global reach of Meridian International Center through strategic dialogue, thoughtful discussion, and the open exchange of ideas between participants and locals.

Schedule Overview

The 7-night/8-day trip will take delegates through the territory of Delhi to meet with government and diplomatic officials in the capital. The trip will also include an excursion to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.

Day 1: Friday, January 31st: Departure from the United States

Day 2: Saturday, February 1: Arrival to Delhi

Day 3: Sunday, February 2: New Delhi

Activities:

Humayun's Tomb
Gandhi Smriti Museum
Sunder Nursery

 

National Museum
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)

 

Day 4: Monday, February 3: New Delhi

Meetings:

  • Tour of Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House)
  • Ram Nath Kovind, President of India  
  • Ambassador Ken Juster and tour of the American Embassy
  • ICCR President (Indian Council for Cultural Relations)

Activities:

Qutab Minar
Mehrauli Archaeological Park

 

Day 5: Tuesday, February 4: Old Delhi

Meetings: 

  • Shri Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament (former Undersecretary General of the U.N.)
  • Mr. Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament
  • Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chair of NITI Aayog
  • Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Min. of Food Processing Industries

Activities:

Red Fort
Raj Ghat
Jama Masjid

 

Chandni Chowk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6: Wednesday, February 5: Day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal

Activities:

Taj Mahal 
Agra Fort

 

Day 7: Thursday, February 6: Delhi

Meetings:

  • Karan Singh, Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab
  • Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress
  • Rajiv Kumar, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog Co-Chair)
  • Aileen Nandi, Head of the US Foreign Commercial Service
  • Bharat Lal, Advisor to PM Modi and Current Additional Secretary to Water Ministry
  • Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Finance and Minister of State for Corporate Affairs (Member of Parliament)
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 7: Friday, February 7: One Globe Forum, Delhi

Day 8: Saturday, February 8: One Globe Forum and departure from Delhi

 

Download Itinerary

Mission Expenses and Accommodations

The cost of the trip is $5,000 per person if individual or $4,000 per person in a couple. This includes first-class accommodation, in-country transportation, all meals, guides, and fees. Delegates are responsible for the cost and arrangement of their own airfare to and from India.

Current members of the Meridian Board of Trustees and the Meridian Leadership Councils are also invited to serve as delegates. For more information on previous delegations, please click HERE. Space is limited to 25 people; reservations will be confirmed on a first come, first served with a final deadline of Monday, December 23.

For additional information, please contact: Rebekah Nantz | (202) 939-5876 RNantz@meridian.org