INDIAN AMBASSADOR SEN VISITS TAMPA
By AAKASH M. PATEL
Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen and his wife along with Houston-based Consul General S.M. Gavai made a brief visit to Tampa on April 25-26. It was the ambassador’s first visit to Florida after accepting an invitation from Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. Sen has been Ambassador of India to the United States since August 2004. His office is the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Welcoming the ambassador was the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors and Executive Committee members sponsored a reception at the University of Tampa for local community leaders and government officials. Ambassador Sen’s visit also included a meeting with Mayor Iorio and city of Tampa officials.
“It’s all about opportunities and future growth,” said Richard Wainio, director and CEO for the Tampa Port Authority, who gave the opening remarks at the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce’s reception. The ambassador gave remarks on the current situation in India, and his insight into the future possibility of increased trade relations between Tampa and India.
As a token of appreciation, Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Committee members presented Sen and Consul General Gavai with an authentic Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey. Both men proudly wore the jersey. “The Buccaneers have placed Tampa on the national radar of United States and we hope that visits such as these from Ambassador Sen indicate that Tampa will be a more prominent player in the global trade arena as well,” said Rachana Dinkar, vice-president of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.
The next day, Ambassador Sen met with Mayor Iorio and Mark Huey, city of Tampa Economic Development director, to discuss the current relationship between Tampa and India. “It was a mutual commitment to try to broaden ties,” Huey said. “This is another example of Tampa’s growing prominence in the international market.”
Aakash M. Patel, secretary of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, can be reached at (813) 936-5100 or email Apatel@bankonparagon.com
