The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) launched the second edition of its coffee table book titled 'We The People - 250 Voices: A Tribute to the 250 Voices that Shaped the US-India Relations' on June 29, 2026, at its flagship leadership summit in Washington, DC. The summit, themed America@250, celebrated the 250th year of American independence and culminated with the book launch alongside a special launch video.
Recognition of 250 Stellar Individuals
This edition recognizes 250 individuals across eras who represent diverse professions but have dedicated their professional endeavors to enhancing US-India relations. The individuals range from artists and architects, academics and activists, diplomats and doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers, presidents and prime ministers, policymakers and pioneers, both living and deceased. According to USISPF, each of these individuals, knowingly or unknowingly, played a part in shaping the most robust strategic partnership celebrated today.
USISPF acknowledged that the list does not imply only these 250 individuals have shaped the relationship, noting that many more have contributed and will continue to transform it. The philosophy was to honor 250 individuals, both past and contemporary, who built diplomatic and cultural bonds and enhanced the soft power component of this strategic partnership.
Notable Figures Included
The book chronicles historic figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi, alongside contemporary leaders from government and corporate power, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump, Ambassador Sergio Gor, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. Business leaders such as Indra Nooyi, Shantanu Narayen, and Ajay Banga are featured, as well as intellectuals from science, academia, healthcare, diplomacy, and civil society, such as Anoushka Shankar, Shubhanshu Shukla, Sunita Williams, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Priyanka Chopra, Ajit Doval, Stephen Knapp, Padma Lakshmi, His Holiness Dalai Lama, Hasan Minhaj, Mira Nair, Frieda Pinto, AR Rahman, Rathan Rajan, and Julia Roberts.
Quotes from USISPF Leadership
Dr. Mukesh Aghi, USISPF President and CEO, said, 'At the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, our mission has always been to translate strategic intent into tangible outcomes. We have seen firsthand how our work is carried forward both by institutions and by people who believe in the potential of this relationship and invest their energy, expertise, and ambition in its growth. This book is a tribute to those individuals. It is a celebration of what has been built and an acknowledgement of all those who laid the foundations. USISPF wishes to tell the story of the U.S.-India relationship through the voices of the people who give it meaning.'
Comparison with First Edition
USISPF's first coffee table book, 'We The People - 75 Years of U.S.-India Relations,' launched in 2022, commemorated the platinum jubilee of India's independence and celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties. The second edition is described as more personal, more human, and more impactful, weaving threads that bind the United States and India together into a dynamic and enduring relationship.
About USISPF
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the US-India partnership in Washington, DC, and New Delhi, USISPF serves as a trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of both nations.
