NEW YORK: The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has made five high profile appointments to its Board of Directors in the last one month. The appointment of Pepsico Chairman Indra Nooyi early this month preceded that of Ian Thomas of Boeing, Sanjay Nayar of Citi, James Quigley of Merrill Lynch, and Tejpreet Chopra of GE India.

The USIBC is the premier business advocacy organization representing 260 of the largest US companies investing in India, joined by two dozen of India's largest global companies. USIBC's mandate is to strengthen US-India commercial ties.The latest appointment to the USIBC Board is that of Tejpreet Singh Chopra, who took the position of President & CEO, GE India in June 2007, and is responsible for directing GE's strategies for growth in the country.

Having held various business roles in France, England, Hong Kong, India and USA, Chopra brings considerable management and global finance experience to this position. Chopra said of his appointment, "We, at GE, are committed to being a growth partner to India by leveraging our diverse set of businesses to help the country meet some of its priorities and contribute to India's economic development.

I am truly excited to be serving on the USIBC Board, where I can offer GE's experience of doing business in India, while helping shape the strategic course of USIBC."James Quigley, Chairman of Merrill Lynch Internal and vice-chairman of Merrill & Co., serves as partner and advisor to the global business heads to maximize revenue and strategic growth opportunities across key markets in investment banking, trading and global wealth management.Merrill Lynch is a Chairman's Circle member of USIBC, the highest level of membership.

The company is a longtime supporter of expanding business ties between the US and India and works actively to strengthen the two countries' commercial relations. In India, Merrill Lynch holds a 90% stake in DSP Merrill Lynch, the pre-eminent full service domestic investment bank. DSP Merrill Lynch is a leading underwriter and broker of debt and equity securities and a leading advisor to corporations and Indian government entities.Speaking about his appointment to the USIBC Board of Directors, Quigley said, "It is a great privilege to become a member of this distinguished board.

I look forward to offering the Council both insights arising from Merrill Lynch's leading investment banking activities in India, as well as those I have personally gained from managing Merrill Lynch businesses among the BRIC group of countries.

"The appointment of Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo to the USIBC Board has lent an even higher profile to the organization's role in US-India economic exchange. PepsiCo, the world's second largest food and beverage company, is also a Chairman's Circle member of USIBC.PepsiCo's involvement with USIBC goes back to the late 1980s, when PepsiCo cofounder and former Chairman and CEO Don Kendall chaired the Council and worked to promote economic liberalization of India."Ms. Nooyi is a distinguished business leader who will be a wonderful addition to our Board of Directors," said Council Chairman Charles Kaye.

"As the chief executive of a corporation spanning nearly 200 countries, she brings a unique and highly-valuable perspective to the U.S.-India Business Council."PepsiCo has been doing business in India since 1989 and today offers Indian consumers a broad range of beverages and foods. The company and its partners have invested moreSanjay Nayar, Chief Executive Officer of Citi's franchise in India, is a seasoned banker, and brings a solid track record of international banking and in-depth understanding of India.

With rich experience of working in India, he has been a strong advocate of US-India economic partnership at various levels. Speaking about his appointment to the USIBC Board, Nayar said, "It is indeed a distinct privilege to join this eminent board. At Citi India, we have serviced the financial needs of both corporate and consumer clients across all segments for many years. The experience gained has resulted in unique insights, which I think will benefit both U.S. and Indian companies keen to expand their businesses.

I look forward to actively working with my distinguished colleagues on the board to further advance Indo-US commercial ties."Citi has a rich history in India of over 105 years. Dr. Ian Thomas, President of Boeing India is yet another appointee to the USIBC Board. The Boeing Company, also a Chairman's Circle member of the USIBC, is very active in the advocacy group's activities and chairs its Aviation and Defense Committees.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Thomas said, "I'm honored to accept this appointment on behalf of The Boeing Company - and to help represent our interests as well as those of US industry on the USIBC Board. Boeing is executing an integrated enterprise strategy in India, which includes a strong focus on both growth and productivity.