NEW YORK: Former Indian Government Minister and Co-Chair of the US-India Business Alliance (USIBA), Dr Arun Shourie, visited the University of Chicago on Saturday morning to deliver a keynote speech to the annual India Business Conference. Following the speech, Dr Shourie was a guest of DLA Piper - the world's largest law firm - in a roundtable event for Chicago CEO's and prominent business leaders interested in cross-border investment involving India.

As a political leader and a noted journalist, Dr Shourie is among India's best known commentators on current and political affairs. He was also Minister of Communication and Technology in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet.Dr Shourie's speech at the University of Chicago focused on the challenges and opportunities with respect to business and investment in India.

He was one of the keynote speakers at the University's annual India Business Conference, now in its 4th year. Dr Shourie spoke from extensive experience in the Indian business sector, particularly as the former Minister of Disinvestment in the India Cabinet where he was credited with helping the telecommunication industry in India to grow rapidly and quadruple the use of cellular phones.

Dr Shourie is known as the privatization czar of India.After the conference, Dr Shourie traveled to The Standard Club for a reception hosted by law firm DLA Piper. There, he met with firm leaders, and CEOs and business leaders from throughout Chicago.

Dr Shourie offered advice and perspective on what the future will hold for one of the world's fastest growing economies."India is one of the world's most dynamic economies, and its influence and role on the global stage will grow exponentially over the coming years," said Lee Miller, Joint CEO of DLA Piper. "Any business that wants to be truly global must have a strategy in India, and Dr Shourie is one of the most prominent experts in that area.

We were honored to have him share his expertise with our lawyers and clients.""There is not a single segment of the Indian economy that does not offer tremendous business opportunities to foreign companies and investors, but the Indian market requires very well-thought out guidance and very few people are as qualified as Dr Shourie to offer such guidance, said Sanjay Puri, President and CEO of USIBA. "USIBA is most fortunate to have his wealth of experience and tremendous intellect available to us."

With approximately 3,700 lawyers in more than 60 offices and 25 countries, DLA Piper is one of the world's leading business law firms. While international law firms are currently prohibited from opening offices in India, DLA Piper has a keen interest in the country, and actively works on a host of issues involving India, including investment (both inbound and outbound), intellectual property, dispute resolution and trade.

DLA Piper's Senior Policy Advisor and former House Majority Leader in the US Congress, Dick Armey, is Co-Chair of the US-India Business alliance along with Dr Shourie.Dr Shourie has a long and distinguished public service record. He was an economist at the World Bank, and was Editor of the Indian Express, a popular English daily.

He has written 21 books on topics including constitutional law, modern Indian history and governance in India.Among his awards he counts the Magsaysay Award, Padma Bhushan, "Star of Asia" by Business Week, "The Business Leader of the Year" by The Economic Times , and a "World Press Freedom Heroes" by The International Press Institute.