India, US CEOs discuss business climate

NEW DELHI: Top CEOs from India and the US, including Tata group chief Ratan Tata, Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi, RIL chief Mukesh Ambani and Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit, met today ahead of their meeting with President Barack Obama at Hyderabad House here.

The India-US CEOs Forum comprises 12 CEOs from each side. Prominent among the Indian CEOs in the forum are ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar, Bharti group chief Sunil Bharti Mittal, HDFC chief Deepak Parekh and State Bank of India Chairman O P Bhatt.

The US CEOs accompanying Obama discussed with their Indian counterparts, different issues relating to business environment and challenges in the two countries.

According to sources, the mood in the industry circle was upbeat after Obama struck a direct chord with India Inc in Mumbai, as also announcement of 20 deals worth USD 10 billion.

Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are meeting at the Hyderabad House, along with their officials and senior ministers.