WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) today announced its selection of Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai and Nasdaq President and Chief Executive Officer Adena Friedman as the recipients of its 2019 Global Leadership Awards. The awards will be conferred at the USIBC India Ideas Summit and Annual Meeting, held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC on June 12-13.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue lauded the selection, noting, “At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we see India as a market with enormous potential for U.S. companies. I applaud the efforts of these forward-looking leaders to engage one of the globe’s most promising emerging markets, and am pleased that the U.S. Chamber can serve as a platform to elevate the work of both Google and Nasdaq to bring cutting-edge technology to the U.S.-India corridor.” U.S.-India Business Council President Nisha Biswal concurred, saying “We are enormously excited to recognize the contributions of Google and Nasdaq as leading technology-driven platforms that drive our markets and transform the way we live, learn, and do business. Under the leadership of Sundar Pichai, Google is not only powering India’s digital economy sector, but also expanding access to technology for millions of Indian citizens, including women and people from marginalized communities.” Biswal further noted that, “Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman has brought the best-in-class technology of Nasdaq to more than 50 countries, including India’s National Stock Exchange. Her leadership and investment in India will ensure that capital markets in both countries benefit from Nasdaq’s cutting edge market technology and innovative approaches.”
"Growing up in India, I saw the profound impact technology has on improving people’s lives, and I am proud that Google has been able to contribute to India’s exciting growth story," Pichai said. "At the same time, India is playing an increasingly important role in helping Google build products for the U.S. and globally, and we're only at the beginning of what's possible. I’m very grateful to the USIBC for its leadership and for this honor."
Adena Friedman, President and CEO of Nasdaq, said “The work performed by the U.S.-India Business Council is critical to promoting mutually beneficial commercial and cultural ties between the U.S. and India. It is an honor to be recognized at their 2019 Leadership Awards. At Nasdaq, we greatly value our partnership with the National Stock Exchange of India, as well as our advanced technology development center in Bengaluru. We greatly admire the opportunity and innovation that India represents as a world leading center of talent and technology.”
Given annually since 2007, the USIBC Global Leadership Awards recognize top corporate executives from the United States and India whose companies play a major role in catalyzing growth in the U.S.-India commercial corridor. With companies like Google and Nasdaq at the forefront, bilateral trade in goods and services has grown by nearly 150% over the past five years to reach $142.1 billion in 2018. The U.S.-India Business Council is a premier business association representing top-tier global companies advancing U.S.-India commercial ties. As part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, USIBC is the largest bilateral trade association in the United States, with hubs in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Chicago, New Delhi and Mumbai.
