Washington, June 4: The US-India Business Council (USIBC) will honour Sunil Bharti Mittal, Zakir Hussain and Kenneth Chenault for their contributions in bringing India and the United States closer together, at a Global Partnership Summit here next week.

Presided over by its new chairperson, Pepsico chief Indra K. Nooyi, the business advocacy organisation promoting US-India commercial ties will also take stock of its 33-year history and deliberate on the 'way forward' at the two-day event starting June 9.

Sunil Bharti Mittal of Bharti Telecom will get USIBC's 33rd anniversary Global Vision Award for bringing telecom connectivity to benefit the common man.

He is also being honoured "for his entrepreneurial zeal, and for his efforts to organise India's agricultural sector - unlocking wealth on the family-run farm and bringing efficiencies to India's farm-to-market supply chain".

The Chairman and CEO of American Express, Kenneth Chenault, will be honoured for the "global vision" exhibited by this dynamic MNC - citing Amex's many contributions to society, as well as its seamless integration into the Indian economy.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain is receiving USIBC's 33rd anniversary honour for his contribution to India's artistic traditions and the strong bonds they promote between the cultures of the two countries.

The event will include a "live" televised interview of Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, by noted television journalist Charlie Rose.

"As countries around the world struggle with commodity price rise and food shortages, USIBC's Global Partnership Summit will grapple with the key linkages that need to be strengthened to create a better quality of life not only for the people of India and the United States, but for all of humanity," said Ron Somers, USIBC President.

"India and the United States are fast-becoming equal partners - as beacons of freedom and democracy, as thought leaders across all sectors, and as powerful and dynamic economies.

"USIBC's Global Partnership Summit will explore the ways and means to strengthen these bonds - bonds so essential to providing the vision and leadership that are now required in this 21st century," he said.

Formed in 1975 at the behest of Indian and US governments, USIBC represents 280 of the largest US companies investing in India, joined by two dozen of India's largest global companies.

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