On June 17, senior officials from the United States Government and the Government of India signed a Statement of Intent to formally establish the Gandhi-King Development Foundation (GKDF) by October 2024. This significant step, occurring during White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India, builds on the U.S. Congress’s passage of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act in December 2020, sponsored by Representative Gregory W. Meeks, which authorized USAID to create the Gandhi-King Development Foundation.
U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, said, “The Gandhi-King Development Foundation represents a transformative partnership between the United States and India, rooted in the visionary ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The foundation underscores our shared commitment to forging global progress by leveraging our collective strengths.”
USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur, who signed the Statement of Intent on behalf of USAID in New Delhi, said that, “USAID is proud to support the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will promote inclusive and sustainable development, symbolizing the friendship and common values of the United States and India.”
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory W. Meeks, said, “I was glad to witness this important progress towards establishing the Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will further strengthen the bonds between the United States and India. The Foundation will honor two visionary leaders and leverage the strength of our private sectors to address important issues such as public health, climate change and air pollution, and the empowerment of women.”
The Gandhi-King Development Foundation signifies a groundbreaking partnership between the United States and India to address global development challenges. It will operate locally in India, utilizing both public and private resources to advance India’s national and global development objectives. These include addressing climate change, reducing tuberculosis, improving water and sanitation, minimizing the health impacts of air pollution, enhancing education outcomes, and promoting economic empowerment for women.
Source - US Embassy
