At the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States, highlighted the deeply personal nature of the India-US relationship for her. Speaking at a fireside chat moderated by USISPF Chairman John Chambers, Vance shared reflections rooted in her Indian heritage and cross-cultural upbringing.

“It’s a very personal relationship,” she said, recounting her childhood visits to India and the close ties she maintains with family on both sides of the globe. “It’s always been a relationship that I’ve personally thought of as very important.”

Vance emphasized the growing momentum in bilateral ties. “This is a time of great opportunity,” she noted, acknowledging that while the relationship between the two democracies has experienced highs and lows, the present era is defined by alignment and mutual potential. She highlighted the growing Indian-American community and increasing people-to-people exchanges as powerful connectors between the nations.

Reflecting on her family's recent visit to India in April, Vance said she was moved by the warm reception and the number of Indians who expressed admiration for the United States and hope for stronger bilateral ties. “These personal ties really have something to do with it,” she added.

At the summit, USISPF also honored business leaders from the QUAD countries—Arvind Krishna (IBM), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), and Toshiaki Higashihara (Hitachi)—with the 2025 Global Leadership Awards for advancing the US-India-Japan economic partnership.

USISPF, an independent nonprofit organization, continues to serve as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation, reflecting the strategic depth and shared values that underpin the US-India partnership.

At the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States, highlighted the deeply personal nature of the India-US relationship for her. Speaking at a fireside chat moderated by USISPF Chairman John Chambers, Vance shared reflections rooted in her Indian heritage and cross-cultural upbringing.

“It’s a very personal relationship,” she said, recounting her childhood visits to India and the close ties she maintains with family on both sides of the globe. “It’s always been a relationship that I’ve personally thought of as very important.”

Vance emphasized the growing momentum in bilateral ties. “This is a time of great opportunity,” she noted, acknowledging that while the relationship between the two democracies has experienced highs and lows, the present era is defined by alignment and mutual potential. She highlighted the growing Indian-American community and increasing people-to-people exchanges as powerful connectors between the nations.

Reflecting on her family's recent visit to India in April, Vance said she was moved by the warm reception and the number of Indians who expressed admiration for the United States and hope for stronger bilateral ties. “These personal ties really have something to do with it,” she added.

At the summit, USISPF also honored business leaders from the QUAD countries—Arvind Krishna (IBM), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), and Toshiaki Higashihara (Hitachi)—with the 2025 Global Leadership Awards for advancing the US-India-Japan economic partnership.

USISPF, an independent nonprofit organization, continues to serve as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation, reflecting the strategic depth and shared values that underpin the US-India partnership.