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Atlantic Council

SOUTH ASIA CENTER

ISSUE BRIEF Unlocking


US-India Trade
Potential

MUKESH AGHI AND


SEPTEMBER 2018 BHARATH GOPALASWAMY

INTRODUCTION
Over the last decade, trade between the United States and India has
grown exponentially to over $126 billion and two-way investment to ap-
proximately $40 billion. This crucial strategic relationship is also being
shaped by broader forces, namely India’s growing centrality as a bastion
of stability in the Indo-Pacific region as well as the close and growing col-
laboration on defense technology between the United States and India.

In his October 2017 address on growing US-India cooperation at the


Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Secretary Rex
Tillerson routinely mentioned the phrase “free trade” alongside “rule
of law,” both of which are hugely significant in the context of the resur-
gence of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—the set of nations (Japan,
The South Asia Center works to Australia, the United States and India) which are committed to the lib-
overcome entrenched rivalries eral international economic order and a shared commitment to mari-
and foster collaboration in one of time security in the Indo-Pacific basin.
the world’s most volatile, dynam-
ic, and strategically significant
It is naturally in the United States’ geostrategic interest to help India
regions.
actualize as a regional power in the Indian Ocean region so that it may
contribute toward efforts to provide security for the regional commons,
ISSU E B RIEF Unlocking US-India Trade Potential

and to guarantee enhanced trade stability to the re- occurred within the last five years, but certain chal-
gion in addition to serving as an important counterbal- lenges continue to pose a threat to the actualization of
ance to other regional powers which do not hold the success in the sectors mentioned as part of the confer-
same level of respect for the rule of law and interna- ence themes.
tional norms that India, and its Western partners may.
Given the US-India synergy in defense and security
To address the many complex challenges and opportu- concerns, it is not a surprise that the growth in defense
nities confronting greater US—India trade, the Atlantic trade has been a resounding success. However, suc-
Council’s South Asia Center and the US Consulate cess in defense convergence must be accompanied by
General Chennai, with support from the Takshashila similar progress in other areas within the bilateral re-
Institution, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers lationship. Without such equivalent progress, the lon-
of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), and the Indo- gevity and resilience of the US-India relationship could
American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), launched be placed at risk.
the “Unlocking US-India Trade Potential” conference,
November 6–8, 2017. This report follows the broad con- „„ Defense Cooperation: There has been huge growth
tours of the conversation that unfolded at the confer- in the US-India defense trade, this growth preced-
ence, and the recommendations offered by the experts ing President Obama’s tenure. As the defense part-
to elevate the bilateral trade relationship to new heights. nership has grown from $200 million USD in 2000
to over $15 billion USD in 2016, it is necessary for
the increasingly convergent Indo-Pacific partners to
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES move past these barriers to unlock the potential of
„„ To explore the economic partnership between the defense trade to sustain and exceed this momen-
United States and India. The conference brought tum over the next decade. The mutual desire for this
together representatives from the international busi- is evidenced by the extent to which US giants like
ness and trade sectors in the United States and India, Boeing, General Atomics, Raytheon, and Lockheed
to enable direct interactions among global economic Martin are vying for Indian defense contracts. The
stakeholders, thought leaders, and policy makers conference laid the foundations for new, lasting re-
aimed at curating sound economic policies to bolster lationships between private firms and government
bilateral trade. contractors in the United States and India that work
on issues related to the bilateral defense relation-
„„ To integrate US-Indian economic partnerships ship, as well as the objective of securing regional
on a regional, national, and international level. stability. India’s regional outlook is still constrained
The following themes were addressed during the by its traditional posture of nonalignment causing
two-day conference: Expanding US-India Defense the country to not exercise its full potential in main-
Cooperation, Ease of Doing Business in India and Trade taining regional stability. Current sanctions policies
Facilitation, Expanding US-India Energy Cooperation, of the United States could potentially affect defense
I.T. and Services, Advancements in Infrastructure, trade with India, given the extent to which American
Connectivity, Smart Cities and Special Economic giants like Boeing, General Atomics, and Lockheed
Zones, and IPR in Media and Entertainment. By iden- Martin in the United States are expected to impact
tifying factors that may impede increased trade and local American economies through their manufac-
developing potential solutions to overcome these turing plants.
challenges, the conference helped the two countries
identify solutions that will bring about major improve- „„ The experience of leading American defense firms
ments to the trade relationship. in India is hindered by India’s difficult business cli-
mate. Many foreign companies have a hard time go-
ing through the Indian bureaucracy, which they cite
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS & CHALLENGES as the number one bottleneck to their operations in
The US-India trade relationship has blossomed over India. Additionally, the Indian defense industry is com-
the last decade. Throughout the course of the con- posed of ten to fifteen companies, comprising mainly
ference, participants discussed the following principal small to mid-tier players, that attract governmental
breakthroughs in the bilateral relationship that have attention and support. Another hindrance is the lack

2 ATLANTIC COUNCIL
ISSU E B RIEF Unlocking US-India Trade Potential

of transparency surrounding logistics in India in ad- to enormous entrepreneurial activity, there are se-
dition to the constant lack of predictability in trade rious physical bottlenecks which impede progress
and investment regulations in the country. The fact namely the bad infrastructural connectivity that pre-
that India’s new insolvency regulations have been ac- vents people from getting to their work on time thus
tive for over one year without “disclosure norms or giving way to serious inefficiencies. These bottle-
mandatory transparency regulations” is a major bot- necks are not confined to one city but are present in
tleneck to enhanced bilateral trade cooperation with Indian cities of all tiers. This would affect the supply
the United States. The proliferation of corporate bad chains which compose the grander US-India trade
loans that have happened in India, under a shroud of framework. This is an issue which affects every ma-
opaqueness, is disquieting for Indian investors and jor Indian city. On the World Bank’s Logistics score,
corporate professionals alike, as well as for foreign India scores poorly on Infrastructure with a score of
investors. In 2017, Indian banks’ sour loans reached 3.34, punching below many of its developing world
$145.56 billion demonstrating a real problem in the peers, including China and South Africa. According
transparency of India’s financial sector. India’s pro- to a joint study by the World Economic Forum and
tection and enforcement of the intellectual property the Confederation of Indian Industry, “the top ma-
rights (IPR) at stake in these transactions is a further jor constraints in infrastructure development over
major risk factor in its economic relations with the the next three years are thought to be corruption,
United States. As it stands, India is presently on a US political and regulatory risk, access to financing and
watch list priority for failing to protect US companies’ macroeconomic instability.” 1
intellectual property rights, through lax rules against
trade secret theft and poor patent protection. In the „„ Additionally, an Economic Survey put out in 2018
eyes of the US government, India is home to several by the Indian government heralded that India will
“Notorious Markets” and has extremely weak en- have a “$526 billion infrastructure investment gap
forcement of its copyright laws contributing to wide- by 2040,” if present trends are to be continued as
spread digital piracy. they currently exist. 2 In the context of India’s enor-
mous rural to urban migration, which is expected to
„„ Indian Infrastructure: Connectivity, Smart Cities be “roughly half of the total population by 2031, and
and Special Economic Zones: Prime Minister the expected scorching pace of growth,” it is cru-
Narendra Modi’s stated objective to build one hun- cial that India finds a way to improve its infrastruc-
dred smart cities across the country by 2030 was a tural logistics. This would see improvements across
significant step in addressing India’s urban bottle- India’s logistical landscape. Presently, as discussed
necks. Given the enormous significance of digital by conference participants, there is “high cost and
connectivity to India’s domestic growth, regional delay” as a result of shoddy domestic transporta-
and global stature and ability to facilitate greater tion in India and inappropriate telecommunication
quality of life for its citizens, the Indian government’s infrastructure allowing for most costly imports. If
digitization of many logistics services is a key step these issues, two of many within the sphere of in-
forward. The conference convened experts from the frastructure, could be addressed under the Indian
public and private sectors in both countries to eval- government’s initiative to boost digital connectivity,
uate how India’s infrastructure, traditionally a major it would become much easier to export to India from
bottleneck to the country’s economic and commer- the United States.
cial ambitions, can be further developed to facilitate
the unlocking of greater bilateral trade potential. „„ IT and Services: The United States and India have a
new framework within which to enhance their trade
While there are many Fortune 500 Companies that because of the enormous potential of their tech-
are headquartered in Bangalore, which in turn is an nological innovation and the global transition to a
extremely vibrant and dynamic city that gives rise data economy. In context of the rapidly accelerat-

1 “What’s holding up India’s infrastructure?,” World Economic Forum, last updated November 6, 2015, https://www.weforum.org/
agenda/2015/11/india-infrastructure/.
2 Jyotika Sood, “India to face $526 billion infrastructure investment gap by 2040: Economic Survey,” Live Mint, January 30, 2018, https://www.
livemint.com/Politics/y3SpVyXF0moEuGtfkB3izO/India-to-face-526-billion-infrastructure-investment-gap-by.html.

ATLANTIC COUNCIL 3
ISSU E B RIEF Unlocking US-India Trade Potential

ing significance of IT worldwide, the interlinkages poration of women in the workforce affects a poten-
of the United States and India in this sphere would tial export to the rest of the world as well as India’s
facilitate a broader set of convergences that rein- domestic productivity in the sphere of technology.
force joint security capacity, defense interoperabil-
ity, and contribute to regional stability, peace, and Another key issue, which prevents greater trade in
prosperity. Additionally, a bilateral agreement in high technology and related services, is the issue of
the IT sector would have positive benefits for many protectionism. Traditionally, protectionist policies
other sectors namely defense, people to people ties, such as tariffs and product testing have given do-
banking, aerospace, science and technology, and mestic Indian firms an unfair advantage in the con-
infrastructure. sumer electronics and IT sector that have been a
hindrance to trade relations with the United States—
„„ One major bottleneck preventing closer and more hindered mostly by regulatory, geostrategic, but
collaborative cooperation is the fact that tradition- also psychological barriers. This is a key challenge
ally, India has been a very difficult market to do in enhancing trade and economic cooperation with
business in and this has hindered its trade potential the United States, given the extent to which protec-
with the United States. India still has a long way to tionism is a widespread assumption on the ground
go before it achieves a business environment that in India. This is a result of that country’s history as
is conducive to the aspirations of its dynamic pri- a socialist republic that has only recently embarked
vate sector and foreign investors, despite the recent on the throes of neo-liberalization in 1991 in addition
increase in its ranking on the World Bank “Ease of to their domestic significance in a developing econ-
Doing Business Index.” India still ranks below be- omy and middle-income society. As mentioned in
low all fellow BRICS countries except Russia and is the conference, the United States International Trade
outranked by many Northeast and Southeast Asian Commission (USITC) has stated that 26.1 percent of
economies such as South Korea, China, Japan, US companies are adversely affected by restrictive
Singapore as well as Thailand and Malaysia. This Indian policies and that this number can go up to 44
not only prevents investment in India from foreign percent. There are numerous on-the-ground infra-
IT firms, but also makes it difficult for key innova- structural issues, specific to the domain of digitali-
tion to take place in India given the extent to which zation given the proliferation of manual operations
leading Indian IT companies seek to invest in R&D in at many ports allowing for the widespread duplica-
other jurisdictions. Within this broader issue, is a de- tion of documents.
mographic and human resource challenge to both
American and Indian society, as well as to compa- „„ US-India Energy Cooperation: The first exports of
nies that operate in both jurisdictions and that is US crude to India in more than forty years happened
the issue of women in the technology sector. In the in October 2017, heralding an area of great poten-
United States, there were many cultural factors and tial growth. This framework will see enhanced bilat-
engrained biases in organizational hierarchies and eral exchange in liquid natural gas (LNG), Strategic
broader societies that isolated women in computer Reserves, shale gas, nuclear energy, carbon, and
science and the corporate information sector—see- clean energy between the United States and India.
ing a dropout rate from mid-level women in the cor- Since 2005, the two nations have engaged in a
porate world that was twice the rate of men dropping high-level dialogue to promote increased trade and
out. These cultural factors that created ecosystems investment in the energy sector. The dialogue com-
that were inconducive to the comfort and success prises of six working groups: sustainability, oil and
of women is a reality that exists in India as well—al- gas, coal, power and energy efficiency, new tech-
though there has been a significant increase in the nologies and renewable energy and civil nuclear co-
number of women working in technology companies operation. India is already the 4th largest importer
in India, and a doubling of women studying at Indian of LNG in the world and this trend seems set to be
engineering colleges, deep rooted patriarchal biases consolidated given the extent to which its vast pop-
exist toward women in leadership positions on the ulation is energy hungry. The United States has a
ground as well as toward women in mid-level man- marginal cost of production of loading LNG on the
agement. This is an issue that affects the labor force tanker of about $3 and a transportation cost of $50
participation rate in India, as the inadequate incor- demonstrating an absolute advantage that cannot

4 ATLANTIC COUNCIL
ISSU E B RIEF Unlocking US-India Trade Potential

be found anywhere else on the planet including in (SMEs) to operate in the Indian and US e-com-
Qatar and Australia. merce sectors to circumvent the lack of transpar-
ency that has befallen the Indian banking sector,
„„ In the context of the urgent threat of climate change, which can be disquieting for investors in context of
expansion of this bilateral relationship would yield the proliferation of bad loans in the sector. The two
benefits to both countries, if the right technologies nations should cooperate to enhance “regulation,
are picked and the correct level of governmental sup- surveillance and enforcement,” which are the criti-
port is provided alongside with the right incentives cal components of financial sector oversight mech-
for the Indian and American corporate sectors to anism in India. Principally, this involves the creation
further augment the involvement of the public sec- and maintenance of a framework to defend and
tor. As far as the India–US trade mix goes, “it is heav- respond against cybersecurity attacks—a sector
ily skewed to coal which is 57 percent of the energy which is truly nascent in India, yet very developed in
mix” and the Indian government is presently trying the United States demonstrating scope for conver-
to bring gas to a greater share of the total energy gence. In 2013, the Indian Department of Electronics
cooperation. 3 It is important for India to develop a and IT outlined the country’s first cybersecurity pol-
commercially viable power system, the lack of it at a icy—however, the progress in implementation has
state and federal level, allows for missed investment been patchy and slow. Greater cooperation with the
opportunities. The lack of integration of new renew- United States to assist in the enactment and imple-
ables into the existing power grid allow for a lack of mentation of sound cybersecurity policies in India
efficient functioning in the rural parts of India as well must be the basis for greater bilateral regulatory
as patchy performance in urban India. Key to this, is oversight mechanisms to maximize bilateral trade
the poor infrastructure in India which create many potential.
bottlenecks to this whole process—,from inadequate
terminals, inefficient pipelines and poor implemen- „„ Enhancing the business ecosystem: For India to
tation of new technologies into existing frameworks achieve a top 50 ranking by 2022, it must introduce
by virtue of aforementioned issues of bureaucracy, major, comprehensive reforms to “land ownership,
poor logistic connectivity, and corruption. labor law, and the judicial process.”4 Some principal
reforms India can make are to continue making it
easier for foreign investors to get construction per-
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS mits by streamlining the process to acquire land and
„„ Tariff cuts will remove major trade barriers be- necessary permits to build on the obtained land as
tween the two nations: 100 percent ad valorem quickly and efficiently as possible. There also must
equivalent (AVE) tariff cut for goods that would in- be serious center-state cooperation through e-gov-
crease US exports to India by 63 percent and Indian ernance initiatives and enhanced correspondence
exports to the US by 15 percent. A 50 percent cut on cutting bureaucratic delays and red tape that
in barriers to trade and services would lead to a 28 make every aspect of the order of business opera-
percent increase in US exports to India and a 5 per- tions difficult unless bribes are paid to corrupt local
cent increase in Indian exports to the United States. authorities and middlemen. Some examples of criti-
Considering both actions, research suggests that cal initiatives being implemented in India to stream-
exports would grow substantially in both countries— line the trade process include the developments
exports from the United States to India will expand of risk management systems, electronic transfers,
by 90 percent while exports from India to the U.S. upgrades of the digital connectivity framework
will expand by 20 percent. specifically key pieces of digital infrastructure,
and the development of the Electronic Commerce
„„ Greater bilateral regulatory oversight mechanisms Interchange Portal. The persistent irresolution of
need to be carefully shaped to allow for US multi- corporate disputations threatens investors, and is
nationals as well as small and medium enterprises a major political risk, requiring committed divisions

3 Transcript: “Unlocking US-India Trade Potential,” Atlantic Council, Bengaluru, India, November 6-8, 2017.
4 Nitin Khanna, “Pro-growth environment pays off for Indian chemical companies,” KPMG Reaction Magazine, March 2018, https://home.kpmg.
com/xx/en/home/insights/2015/02/reaction-magazine.html.

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ISSU E B RIEF Unlocking US-India Trade Potential

to resolve commercial cases that threaten foreign to Indians, the majority of whom work in the IT sec-
parties. If this reform were to be successfully imple- tor. Leading Indian IT companies are already chang-
mented, it would allow for foreign parties to no lon- ing their staffing and finding alternative locations
ger consider India’s legal hurdles and bureaucracy for their overseas activities which had hitherto been
as a deal breaker to their entrance and sustained in the United States predominantly. Furthermore,
presence in the country. many Indian IT professionals on H-1B visas are seek-
ing or considering employment in other countries
„„ Lifting tariffs, reducing technical barriers to trade which constitutes a loss of talent in important sec-
and aligning standards provide both nations with tors to the United States economy.
improvements in trade and welfare. Greater bilateral
regulatory oversight mechanisms should be crafted „„ Create a US-India bilateral framework for cooper-
carefully to allow for US multinationals and SMEs to ation in technology trade, e-commerce & cyberse-
operate in the Indian markets. This would have to curity. If India should take the first step to propose a
see continued foreign direct investment liberaliza- special sectoral focus as an important way to acceler-
tion, as has been done under the Modi government, ate and strengthen bilateral US-India trade presence
a more digitized facility to facilitate clearances as in the Indo Pacific, India will be doing much more to
well as the simplification of tax in India, which is ex- effectively serve its grander security and strategic
tremely complex for external investors to grasp. objectives. Given the rapidly accelerating central-
ity and significance of IT and e-commerce world-
„„ Modernization of infrastructure is critical in India. wide and particularly in the Indian and American
The investment and maintenance of infrastructure marketplaces, greater cooperation between these
related to trade and investment must be made top two nations in this sphere could facilitate a major
priority by the Indian government. As it stands, is- convergence, which in turn would re-enforce the
sues such as digital connectivity at major Indian capacity for security, defense interoperability, and
ports, poor bandwidth quality, and bad roads re- regional peace and stability. This agreement would
ally hinder the entire trade process. The continued benefit other sectors: defense, flow of people, bank-
investment in hard infrastructure as well as digital ing, aerospace, science and technology, and in-
connectivity must continue, but under frameworks frastructure. There is also enormous room for this
which allow for maximal transparency potentially sector to grow given that only 26 percent of Indians
with the aid of e-governance initiatives. The Modi have internet access, and this number is set to grow
government has shown interest in investing in logis- in the coming years. Furthermore, only 14.4 percent
tical and IT infrastructure, but the Indian private sec- of Indian internet users shop online demonstrating
tor should be brought into these schemes to create potential for growth in this sector, as well as growth
and sustain successful Public Private Partnerships, in credit card usage given that most Indians do not
which have been shown to work in the context of use credit card for transactions.
India’s developmental history given the world class
Indian private sector. Additionally, India should
CONCLUSION
aim to invest in vocational training facilities for its
youth—with regards to shifting from a revenue col- The “Unlocking US-India Trade Potential” conference in
lection mindset, which is an unfortunate legacy of Bengaluru outlined key areas within which policy recom-
the Socialist Raj, and developing critical soft skills mendations should be developed to enhance US-India
and achieving the sensitization of customs officials trade cooperation, in the context of the paradigm shift the
who are often brusque with foreigners. relationship is presently undergoing. Stakeholders spoke
at length about the challenges of the Indian bureaucracy,
„„ Conclude the US-India Bilateral Investment Treaty US sanctions policy, India’s poor connectivity and infra-
and push ahead in areas such as Indian govern- structural development, and weak intellectual property
ment procurement processes and US H-1B/ L Visas. legislation as they all hinder bilateral trade cooperation.
Approximately 70 percent of H-1B visas are awarded As the United States and India seek to form a genuine

6 ATLANTIC COUNCIL
ISSU E B RIEF Unlocking US-India Trade Potential

strategic partnership together, further trade cooperation panded the business on a global level. During his time
and more profound economic engagement are needed.5 at Steria, Inc. (India), Dr. Aghi served as Chairman and
CEO of the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, Dr. Aghi
Further programs and conferences are needed to fa- was the founding CEO of Universitas 21 Global, the
cilitate the discussion on unlocking bilateral trade co- world’s largest consortium of research-led universities
operation and the underlying issues that stymie this and global leader in providing post-graduate online
cooperation. Additionally, an outward looking per- education. He was also the President of IBM India for
spective on international economic integration and IBM Corporation, and spent time working with Ariba,
engagement in both nations is needed, to share best Inc. and JD Edwards & Co.
practices among partners, and to foster consensus on
issues linked to trade and economic issues. Sustained Dr. Aghi holds several degrees, including an advanced
discussion and the ongoing maintenance of relation- management diploma from Harvard Business School,
ships across sectors between the two nations are nec- a Ph.D. in international relations from Claremont
essary to ensure that the objectives outlined during Graduate University, an MBA in international marketing
this conference are met, and the areas of concern illus- from Andrews University, and a BA in business admin-
trated are significantly addressed. istration from the Middle East College, Beirut, Lebanon.

The Atlantic Council believes it can and should help As a fluent speaker in many international languages, Dr.
advance these goals. The authors would like to thank Aghi was recognized by Esquire Magazine as a Global
all participants panelists, experts, and attendees for Leader and has won many awards over the course of his
their active engagement on the issues examined at professional career, including the J. R. D. Tata Leadership
the “Unlocking US-India Trade Potential” conference Award. In his free time, Dr. Aghi is a major marathon and
in Bengaluru and look forward to future endeavors to mountaineering enthusiast. He has competed in over 27
address US-India trade and economic cooperation. international marathons and climbed some of the high-
est peaks in North America and Europe.

This report was funded [in part] by a grant from the


United States Department of State. The opinions, Dr. Bharath Gopalaswamy
findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council
the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those
of the United States Department of State. Bharath Gopalaswamy is the director of the South Asia
Center. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, Gopalaswamy
managed the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament,
Dr. Mukesh Aghi and International Security at the University of Illinois
President, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum at Urbana-Champaign, where he oversaw developing
projects on South Asian security issues. He has held re-
Mukesh Aghi is the President of USISPF. Dr. Aghi has search appointments with the Stockholm International
extensive experience working with business and gov- Peace Research Institute and with Cornell University’s
ernment leaders in the U.S. and India to promote trade Judith Reppy Institute of Peace and Conflict studies. Dr.
and strengthen ties between the two countries. He also Gopalaswamy holds a PhD in mechanical engineering
currently serves as a trustee at Claremont Graduate with a specialization in numerical acoustics from Trinity
University. College, Dublin. In addition to his studies abroad, he
has previously worked at the Indian Space Research
Previously, Dr. Aghi served as Chief Executive and Organization’s High-Altitude Test Facilities and the
Member of the Board at L&T Infotech where he ex- EADS Astrium GmbH division in Germany.

5 Bharath Gopalaswamy, Ben Polsky, Nazia Khan, and Michelle Foley, Resilient Megacities: Strategy, Security, and Sustainability, Atlantic
Council, November, 2015, https://euagenda.eu/upload/publications/untitled-6661-ea.pdf.

ATLANTIC COUNCIL 7
Atlantic Council Board of Directors

INTERIM CHAIRMAN Ahmed Charai Robert M. Kimmitt Stephen Shapiro


*James L. Jones Melanie Chen Henry A. Kissinger Wendy Sherman
Michael Chertoff C. Jeffrey Knittel Kris Singh
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
George Chopivsky Franklin D. Kramer James G. Stavridis
Brent Scowcroft
Wesley K. Clark Laura Lane Richard J.A. Steele
PRESIDENT AND CEO David W. Craig Richard L. Lawson Paula Stern
*Frederick Kempe Helima Croft *Jan M. Lodal Robert J. Stevens
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRS *Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. Douglas Lute Robert L. Stout, Jr.
*Adrienne Arsht Nelson W. Cunningham *Jane Holl Lute *Ellen O. Tauscher
*Stephen J. Hadley Ivo H. Daalder William J. Lynn Nathan D. Tibbits
*Ankit N. Desai Wendy W. Makins Frances M. Townsend
VICE CHAIRS *Paula J. Dobriansky Zaza Mamulaishvili Clyde C. Tuggle
*Robert J. Abernethy Christopher J. Dodd Mian M. Mansha Melanne Verveer
*Richard W. Edelman Thomas J. Egan, Jr. Gerardo Mato Charles F. Wald
*C. Boyden Gray *Stuart E. Eizenstat William E. Mayer Michael F. Walsh
*George Lund Thomas R. Eldridge Timothy McBride Maciej Witucki
*Virginia A. Mulberger Julie Finley John M. McHugh Neal S. Wolin
*W. DeVier Pierson *Alan H. Fleischmann Eric D.K. Melby Guang Yang
*John J. Studzinski Jendayi E. Frazer Franklin C. Miller Mary C. Yates
TREASURER Ronald M. Freeman Judith A. Miller Dov S. Zakheim
*Brian C. McK. Henderson Courtney Geduldig *Alexander V. Mirtchev
HONORARY DIRECTORS
*Robert S. Gelbard Susan Molinari
SECRETARY David C. Acheson
Gianni Di Giovanni Michael J. Morell
*Walter B. Slocombe James A. Baker, III
Thomas H. Glocer Richard Morningstar
Harold Brown
DIRECTORS Murathan Günal Edward J. Newberry
Frank C. Carlucci, III
Stéphane Abrial John B. Goodman Thomas R. Nides
Ashton B. Carter
Odeh Aburdene *Sherri W. Goodman Franco Nuschese
Robert M. Gates
*Peter Ackerman Amir A. Handjani Joseph S. Nye
Michael G. Mullen
Timothy D. Adams John D. Harris, II Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg
Leon E. Panetta
Bertrand-Marc Allen Frank Haun Ahmet M. Oren
William J. Perry
*Michael Andersson Michael V. Hayden Sally A. Painter
Colin L. Powell
David D. Aufhauser Annette Heuser *Ana I. Palacio
Condoleezza Rice
Matthew C. Bernstein Amos Hochstein Carlos Pascual
George P. Shultz
*Rafic A. Bizri Ed Holland Alan Pellegrini
Horst Teltschik
Dennis C. Blair *Karl V. Hopkins David H. Petraeus
John W. Warner
Thomas L. Blair Robert D. Hormats Thomas R. Pickering
William H. Webster
Philip M. Breedlove Mary L. Howell Daniel B. Poneman
Reuben E. Brigety II Wolfgang F. Ischinger Dina H. Powell
*Executive Committee
Myron Brilliant Deborah Lee James Arnold L. Punaro Members
*Esther Brimmer Reuben Jeffery, III Robert Rangel
Reza Bundy Joia M. Johnson Thomas J. Ridge
R. Nicholas Burns Stephen R. Kappes Michael J. Rogers List as of June 28, 2018
Richard R. Burt *Maria Pica Karp Charles O. Rossotti
Michael Calvey Andre Kelleners Robert O. Rowland
James E. Cartwright Sean Kevelighan Harry Sachinis
John E. Chapoton *Zalmay M. Khalilzad Rajiv Shah
The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that
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in ­international ­affairs based on the central role of the
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