NEW DELHI – During the week of August 12, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Biden’s Cabinet representing over 34 million small businesses in America, visited New Delhi and Hyderabad, India. The purpose of her visit was to meet with national leaders and local entrepreneurs to enhance the U.S.-India partnership and explore increased trade opportunities for small businesses in both countries.
This trip aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to bolster diplomatic and economic relations between the United States and India. It also seeks to fulfill commitments from the state visit President Biden hosted for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023.
In New Delhi, Administrator Guzman engaged with representatives from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and toured their Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), which promotes small business and startup innovation in defense and aerospace sectors. Discussions centered on commitments made under the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) and opportunities for collaboration on defense technologies.
Guzman also met with women entrepreneurs at a Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Bharat center, which addresses the needs of working-class women across India. Additionally, she visited the Viraasat Handloom Expo to engage with women-owned businesses.
Administrator Guzman held a meeting with Nivruti Rai, Managing Director and CEO of Invest India, to discuss support for startups and global innovation. She participated in a roundtable with members of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), focusing on technology sector business leaders.
The visit included signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the SBA and India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This agreement aims to promote MSME participation in global markets, share best practices for entrepreneurship growth, and expand international trade. Guzman discussed India's creation of a digital platform to assist businesses interested in global partnerships.
Further meetings included discussions with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal about strengthening U.S.-India relationships concerning MSMEs. Joined by U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, they reiterated mutual commitments to supporting small business growth.
In Hyderabad, Administrator Guzman visited several key institutions supporting startups. At the Indian School of Business (ISB), she toured i-Venture Incubator programs supporting startup growth. She also visited Technology Hub (T-Hub), India's largest tech incubator, discussing potential collaborations between T-Hub and U.S. incubators.
Lastly, she visited WE Hub, an incubator for women entrepreneurs where she participated in discussions about challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and potential international partnerships.
For interview requests with Administrator Guzman, contact Rebecca Galanti at Rebecca.Galanti@sba.gov.