Caterpillar and Medtronics CEOs join USISPF board

Top executives of two Fortune 500 companies Caterpillar and Medtronics have been inducted as new board members of a new advocacy group established to deepen the US-India strategic partnership.
The US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) was created a few months ago. The body now has 28 board members.
The two latest to join the body are Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby and Medtronics CEO Omar Ishrak, a statement said.
"The importance of the strategic relationship between India and the United States is increasing every day," Umpleby said, adding that he looks forward to working to advance economic growth in two of the most important democracies in the world.

Umpleby joined Caterpillar subsidiary Solar Turbines in 1980, and has served in multiple engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing roles.
Ishrak joins USISPF with six years of experience as Medtronic CEO.

In a statement, he lauded the importance of the US-India relationship.
The USISPF said while promoting trade is an important part of the organisations work, the convergence of priorities between the US and India today go far beyond trade.
There are strategic opportunities that both economies can leverage through advancements in technology and skill development.
USISPF said it will embrace this by expanding its focus to include areas ripe for growth like energy cooperation, promoting job creation, financial inclusion, start-ups, innovation, and education.

"We are excited to welcome these two important leaders to our board, said, Mukesh Aghi, president of the USISPF.