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USISPF launches tourism summit in New Delhi
VP C.P. Radhakrishnan says India-U.S. travel reflects deepening economic and cultural ties; tourism report outlines sector growth.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 25, Feb 2026
- 01:46 EST
- 14
During the inaugural session, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also unveiled the USISPF report / USISPF
The inauguration of the USISPF Tourism Leadership Summit 2026 took place at the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum office in New Delhi, bringing together government officials, industry leaders and multilateral representatives to discuss India’s tourism sector and U.S.-India travel ties.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the summit, convened by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation.
During the inaugural session, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat unveiled the USISPF report, “State of Tourism in India 2026,” and presented the first copy to the vice president. The report outlines plans for sustainable growth, digital expansion, investment and global positioning of India’s tourism sector.
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In his address, Radhakrishnan said, “Tourism is more than an industry. It is a bridge between cultures, a driver of economic opportunity, and a powerful instrument of soft diplomacy.” He added, “The travel corridor between India and the United States reflects not only growing economic engagement, but also deep people-to-people ties, rooted in shared values, entrepreneurial spirit, and a vibrant diaspora.”
Shekhawat said, “Tourism is about connection. When an American visits Varanasi, or explores the Himalayas, they experience the living history of India.”
Nivedita Mehra, managing director for India at USISPF, said, “A country with a rich cultural heritage as India, brimming with youth, stands at the cusp of becoming the world’s most visited situation. We are at a critical inflection point where tourism is emerging.” She added, “At USISPF, our mission has been to create the dynamic between US and India but also US and the world, where we see tourism as that bridge."
Speakers included Bharat Lal, secretary general and CEO of the National Human Rights Commission of India; Amitabh Kant, senior advisor at Fairfax Financial Holdings and former G20 Sherpa of India; Stefan Priesner, United Nations resident coordinator in India; and Rajya Sabha member Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
Industry representatives from Marriott International, Visa, Netflix India, Airbnb, Expedia Group, WWF India, the International Big Cat Alliance and the Ministry of Tourism also participated.
The daylong summit focused on tourism development, conservation, technology integration and institutional reforms. It concluded with a conversation featuring Shringla on tourism and development priorities.
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