John Chambers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an amazing hit among the top U.S. CEOs today in New York! He listened to the CEOs on the topics that are most crucial to them and engaged with them by providing feedback and asking follow-up questions. Coming out of this year’s investment roundtable, it was clear that he won not just their hearts and minds but their true partnership. This is such a unique opportunity involving top government leaders like PM Modi. He is setting a model for others to follow by building track records, relationships, and most importantly, trust while instilling confidence in the U.S. business and government leaders alike. I am even more convinced that his vision for #DigitalIndia will drive GDP growth, job creation, and inclusive household income increases while building a win-win partnership with the companies that invest in India both economically and socially. Now is the time to bet on and invest in India and its strategic alliance with the U.S. Sincere thanks to Mukesh Aghi, Gaurav Verma, and the entire US-India Strategic Partnership Forum team for cultivating a strong relationship between U.S. companies and the Indian government to help drive this vision forward.

Our friends in India are in trouble and they need our help. Just as India was there for the U.S. last year, it’s time for us to give back generously now. I’ve always been an optimist on India’s future. I consider the country and its citizens to be friends of mine personally, and strategic partners from a business perspective. The country needs oxygen, financial aid, innovation – like the Splitter technology Bloom Energy is donating to India, which takes an oxygen unit and splits it to support four people instead of one – and so much more. As the Chairman of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, I am personally committing to donating $1 million to the nonprofit US INDIA FRIENDSHIP ALLIANCE INC, and encouraging you to give, and give generously, to help the 1.3 billion citizens of India through this crisis. USISPF has already sourced 30,000 oxygen units and our goal is to get to 100,000 units. Please consider a donation – whether its $1 or $100,000 – to https://usispf.org/ or https://www.giveindia.org/. You can make a difference in the ongoing fight against this global pandemic.

For so many of us, 2020 has been a difficult year for both our personal lives and our business lives. I want to thank each and every one of you who have followed me this year for your support – I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Personally, I will be happy to put this year behind me. Having said that, I also know that it’s during the toughest of times that we can build better relationships with family, friends, customers, and colleagues. Right now, I am reflecting on those positive moments and giving thanks to those who have made a difference in my own life. Heading into this holiday season, even though we may not all be able to be physically together with those who matter most to us, it's important to reach out and let them know how valuable they have been to you during this unprecedented year amid the pandemic and economic uncertainty.