New Delhi: The U.S.-India Business Council leadership and members were delighted to call on Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to highlight the long-standing and diverse energy partnership between the two countries.
Shri Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE, has a deep and relevant background for his role in advancing the U.S.-India energy partnership.
Having served for four years as the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Sarangi possesses extensive knowledge of India-U.S. trade and business dynamics.
This experience provides him with an in-depth understanding of the commercial and policy landscapes of both countries, which is crucial for fostering collaboration in the energy sector.
During his tenure at DGFT, Shri Sarangi was known for his work in boosting India’s foreign trade and streamlining export-import processes. His leadership focused on pragmatic approaches to navigate global trade complexities and promote manufacturing competitiveness.
This background is particularly valuable in his new role at MNRE, as the U.S.-India Business Council meeting highlighted several areas with significant trade and business implications, including:
- Expanding the upstream solar energy sector: Sarangi’s understanding of trade policy and supply chains from his DGFT experience is directly applicable to discussions on increasing domestic manufacturing of solar components in India and managing the associated trade flows with the U.S.
- Critical mineral supply chains: This is a key area of strategic importance for both countries, and Sarangi’s expertise in foreign trade is essential for navigating the complexities of securing and diversifying these supply chains.
- Bioenergy and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): His knowledge of trade and market access can help facilitate partnerships and trade in these emerging sectors, which are vital for a sustainable energy transition.
The U.S.-India Business Council’s engagement with Secretary Shri Sarangi, therefore, leverages his unique combination of experience in both trade policy and government administration.
His track record of fostering collaboration and implementing strategic initiatives is expected to provide a strong foundation for deepening the diverse energy partnership between the two nations, moving beyond dialogue to tangible outcomes in innovation, research, and private-sector engagement.