Anurag Thakur met delegation of International Republican Institute of USA

A delegation of the International Republican Institute of USA met a group of representatives of the BJP’s Youth wing was headed by Sh. Anurag Thakur at the Constitution Club of India on 14th January, 2012. The Republican side was headed by Mr. Lorne.W.Craner, President, International Republican Institute. The discussion began with Sh. Thakur acquainting the Republican side with the current state of economic affairs and other major policy challenges faced by India. The discourse further focussed on improving economic ties between the 2 nations, Foreign affairs, primarily Afghanistan & Pakistan, and environmental issues. There was also some focus on the protectionist measures taken by the US in the face of economic crisis, the immigrant and refugee problems faced in both India & the US, and healthcare problems and reforms in the two nations. Delegates from both the sides placed their views and asked the others for their side of the problem and possible solutions of the same. BJYM members raised number of issues like the India's tolerance of different cultures, and absence of any anti-Semitic incident till date, the inability of Indian farmers and professionals to compete in the face of international protectionism, transfer of clean technologies to developing nations, etc.Both sides agreed to cooperate with each other on various issues in the future.The Republican delegation also consisted of Constance B. Newman, Special Counsel for African Affairs, Maria Cino, Vice President for Govt. Affairs for Pfizer, Mrs. Paula Dobriansky who is the Senior Vice President Global head of Govt. regulatory affairs, Mr. Judy Van Rest, Executive Vice President, International Republican Institute, Mr. Johanna Kao, Resident Country Director, International Republican Institute Representatives of the Youth Wing present in the meetings who are Ms. Vani Tripathi, Secy, BJP, Mr. Janaradhan Swamy, MP, Mr. Bhrighu Bakshipatra, Mr. Anuj Sharma, Mr.Rajesh Yadav, Mr. Pawan Khajuria, Mr. Nitin Naveen, Mr. Chetan Bragta, Mr. Sourabh Choudhary.