Nishith Acharya

Visiting Fellow, India-U.S. Studies

Amit_profile for website Nish Acharya is a senior advisor to Northeastern University, a senior fellow for the Center for American Progress and a columnist for Forbes Media. He also manages a consulting firm working with universities, governments, foundations and companies to assist them with innovation, entrepreneurship and globalization strategies. Until recently he was with the Obama administration as the director of innovation and entrepreneurship, and senior advisor to the secretary of commerce. Prior to these positions, he was executive director of the Deshpande Foundation, a prominent American philanthropy group focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and scalability around the world. Nish currently serves on the advisory board of The Economist Higher Education Forum and was previously a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Bretton Woods Committee, the Indus Entrepreneurs, and the Clinton Global Initiative. He was also a board member of Akshaya Patra USA and the United Way Worldwide Global Advisory Board
Expertise

U.S.-India economic relations, innovation, entrepreneurship and scalability

Last modified: February 20, 2020

Recent projects

India-US Partnership: $1 Trillion by 2030 by Nish Acharya Courtesy: Oxford University Press
1 July 2016 Oxford University Press & Gateway House

The India-U.S. Partnership: $1 Trillion by 2030

The story of U.S.-India relations is one of unfulfilled potential. Despite their common commitment to democracy, diversity, and free markets, the short- and long-term objectives have not aligned in a way that has enabled the creation of a robust economic and political partnership. These two nations, which will soon be the second and third largest economies in the world, must find ways to increase their economic integration over the next 10 years
screenshot Modi US Congress Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
23 June 2016 Gateway House

India-U.S.: not yet a priority partner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fourth visit to the United States has been met with hails of success and with comments of 'too little, too late'. While Modi's friendship with President Obama is often credited for improving bilateral relations, the U.S. leader is currently nearing the end of his term. The new President will have their own geopolitical demands, which will invariably result in India being relegated to a second-term priority.
Modi SAP Center Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
8 October 2015 Gateway House

Dialing up the Diaspora: Modi Act II

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit from 26-30 September managed to attract a lot of attention from Indian-Americans. However, not a lot of business was done. The diaspora hopes that Modi visits the U.S. again next year but the focus must shift to showcasing India’s commitment towards progress of “Make in India”, self-reliance in energy and commitment towards elimination climate change.
us-india-modi-mania_kuma4 Courtesy: PTI
17 September 2015 Gateway House

Will Modi actualise the India-U.S. dream?

On his second trip to the U.S. next week, Modi will meet Obama to discuss various issues, including climate change and the civil nuclear deal; he will also visit Silicon Valley to explore innovation and social enterprise. But beyond the promises of this agenda, both sides must now devise deliverables that make the bilateral dream a reality.