Bengaluru, Jan 15 (IANS): Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the new vice-chair of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) board for 2021, the apex trade body said on Thursday.

"Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw will be one of the three vice-chairs for the US-India Business Council's board of directors," said USIBC Chairman Vijay Advani in a statement from Washington DC.

The other two vice-chairs are Amway chief executive Milind Pant and Nasdaq executive Edward Knight.

"The perspectives of the new vice-chairs will be invaluable as the Council charts a path forward in the post-pandemic era and work to deepen the US-India partnership," said Advani.

As vice-chairs, Mazumdar-Shaw, Pant and Knight will work with Council President Nisha Biswal and its policy directors to elevate priorities in key sectors and lead meetings between industry and government.

The trio will also work to amplify the voice of industry on international trade and investment issues and emphasise the key role that businesses can play in strengthening democratic institutions and combatting the global pandemic.

"I am honoured to serve the Council, which is committed to enhancing the US-India bilateral trade. In my new role, I look forward to forging collaborative initiatives in pharma and healthcare in research, innovation and skill development between our two nations," Mazumdar-Shaw said.

The pandemic has provided an opportunity for robust engagement between the two countries that can lead to knowledge sharing in digital healthcare, medical technologies and Intellectual Property-led drug and vaccine innovation to deliver healthcare solutions, she added.

The Council represents top global firms operating across the US, India and the Indo-Pacific. Recognising that US-India trade is driven by new business hubs, the Council is also focused on strengthening connections between cities and states in both countries.