KU News Release

India’s ambassador to United States to visit KU, discuss international relations

LAWRENCE — Ronen Sen, India’s ambassador to the United States, will visit the University of Kansas on Friday, Feb. 9, to discuss Indo-American relations and to meet with administrators, faculty, students and the public. Shri S.M. Gavai, consul general of India in Houston, Texas, will accompany Sen.

During his visit, Sen will meet with Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere. A renowned scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu law, Lariviere has written dozens of articles and several books on Indian legal history.

Following the meeting, Sen will attend a reception with KU faculty who have an interest in Indo-American relations and Indian history and culture. At 10:30 a.m., Sen will speak about the transformed U.S.-India relationship and the opportunities that come with it, with a special focus on science, technology and research. He will also take part in a question and answer session with faculty, students and the public. The presentation will take place at the Big 12 Room in the Kansas Union.

Melissa Birch, associate professor of business and director of the KU Center for International Business Education and Research, said Sen’s visit is especially timely.

“India is the world’s largest English-speaking democracy and its economy is growing fast. It is no wonder Kansas exports to India have surged over the past five years,” Birch said. “The ambassador’s visit represents a tremendous opportunity for KU and the state of Kansas to build on existing relationships to forge stronger ties that benefit both societies.”

Sen has been ambassador to the United States since 2004. He previously was India’s ambassador to Mexico, the Russian Federation and Germany and was high commissioner to the United Kingdom. From 1984 to 1985, he was joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs and was thereafter joint secretary to the prime minister of India until 1991, where he was responsible for foreign affairs, defense and science and technology. He has also served as secretary to the Atomic Energy Commission of India.

John Watson, director of the trade and development division of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, said Kansas exports more than $97 million in products to India every year. Pharmaceuticals and intellectual property developed at KU are a growing part of Kansas’ business relationship with India and is likely to increase in coming years.

“I believe in the future India is going to be a growing part of the state’s international economy, and the ideas and technologies developed at KU have unlimited potential,” Watson said.

Sen’s visit is sponsored by the Center for International Business Education and Research. During his visit to Kansas he will also meet with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas City International Relations Council and the Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

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