Investments will boost India, US economies: Harvard India meet

Boston, March 27 (IANS) The role of bilateral foreign direct investment in boosting the economies of India and the United States was highlighted at the Harvard India Conference here on the theme of "India: The Next Frontier."

Leaders from international business, government and the non-profit sector gathered here over the weekend to discuss India's economic challenges and opportunities at the 9th India Conference at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School here.

Panelists at the conference focused on India's revolutionising role at a time of opportunity and change as close observers of and participants in India's decision making articulated their concerns, expectations and vision.

Focusing on anti-corruption movements in India in the panel on Political Accountability, senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan called for public engagement on the Lokpal Bill.

"The bill is not a silver bullet and every institution can fail if there is no support from the public," he said.

The conference featured a keynote address by India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Hardeep Puri.

Executives of the Tata group, title sponsors of the conference, focused on education, innovation, healthcare, entrepreneurship and political accountability.

"Tata is committed to strengthening both the U.S. and Indian economies. Throughout the United States and specifically here in Boston our longtime relationship with Harvard has enabled us to further our commitment to education and to contribute to this important global dialogue," said Kapil Sharma, Senior General Manager of Tata Sons Ltd.

In 2010, Tata companies, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Tata Education and Development Trust gifted $50 million to fund a new academic and residential building - "Tata Hall" - on the HBS campus.

The gift will support HBS' international mission of fostering the next generation of global business leaders, the Tata Group said.