Kumar Mangalam Birla gets key leadership role at U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum to bolster Indo-U.S. ties

The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has appointed Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, to its Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

“The U.S.-India partnership is among the most consequential partnerships in the world, and I have long believed that when our two nations come together with purpose and clarity, they can shape the arc of global commerce and innovation for the better,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, in a statement.

The appointment comes at a time when the Aditya Birla Group has emerged as the largest Indian greenfield investor in the United States, with cumulative investments exceeding $15 billion.

“We are very proud to be the largest Indian investor in the United States and are committed to expanding our investments in the country,” Birla added.

The Group operates across 15 U.S. states in sectors such as metals, chemicals, and carbon black. Its U.S. subsidiary, Novelis, is the world’s largest aluminium recycling company. Birla’s appointment to the Executive Committee also comes amid growing U.S.-India economic engagement, with both governments working toward closing a bilateral trade deal to boost market access and supply chain cooperation.

One of the Group’s largest U.S. projects is a $4.1 billion facility in Bay Minette, Alabama, which will be the first fully integrated aluminium rolling and recycling plant in the country in four decades. Once operational, it will be the largest industrial investment in Alabama’s history.

The USISPF is a Washington, D.C. and New Delhi-based non-profit focused on strengthening U.S.-India commercial and strategic ties. Its membership comprises global corporations with a combined market valuation of over $10 trillion and a workforce of more than six million.

Birla joins a board that includes U.S. and Indian business leaders such as Adobe Chairman and CEO Shantanu Narayen, FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam, and JC2 Ventures Founder and CEO John Chambers. His appointment is expected to bolster USISPF’s efforts in expanding bilateral investment and trade flows, particularly as Indian multinationals ramp up operations in the U.S. across manufacturing and services.

Birla’s inclusion on the Executive Committee follows his receipt of the Global Leadership Award at the 2025 USISPF Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C.

Chambers, who serves as USISPF Chairman, congratulated Birla on his appointment.

“I was honoured to present the 2025 Global Leadership Award to Mr. Birla, who is a leading figure in the Indian business community. Mr. Birla joining the Executive Committee will help steer USISPF to new horizons and uncharted paths as we continue to grow and define this accelerated partnership,” Chambers added.

Commenting on Birla’s appointment, Narayen said that Birla would enable the forum to advance economic ties between the two nations.

“His visionary leadership and transformative impact on global business make him an invaluable addition to our efforts in strengthening the U.S.-India partnership. His commitment to fostering mutual prosperity through investments, innovation, and community development aligns perfectly with USISPF’s mission,” added Narayen, who also serves as Vice Chair of the USISPF Executive Committee.

Subramaniam also congratulated Birla on his appointment.

“His exceptional leadership, global vision, and entrepreneurial drive will strengthen the Board and our mission, and we look forward to collaborating with him to expand economic opportunities for businesses and communities in the United States and India,” Subramaniam added.