The United States and India have signed a Statement of Intent to establish the Gandhi-King Development Foundation (GKDF) by October 2024. The foundation, announced during White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India, builds on the the US Congress’s passage of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act in December 2020.
The GKDF represents a transformative partnership between the two nations, rooted in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The foundation aims to leverage collective strengths to drive global progress and promote inclusive and sustainable development.
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, stated that the foundation will symbolize the friendship and common values of the US and India, addressing key issues like public health, climate change, air pollution, and women’s empowerment.
USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Änjali Kaur,, 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, expressed his support for the foundation, which will honor two visionary leaders and utilize public and private resources to advance India’s national and global development objectives.
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 marks a groundbreaking partnership between the US and India, tackling global development challenges like climate change, education, and economic empowerment for women. Operating locally in India, the foundation will utilize both public and private resources to drive progress.
Picture Courtesy: US Embassy of India.