New Delhi: The US–India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has appointed Rohit Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre and former Union Secretary, as Chair of the Global Value Chains Committee and Advisor to the USISPF Board of Directors.
The announcement was made on Monday, highlighting Mr Singh’s mandate to strengthen U.S.–India trade linkages and enhance the resilience and efficiency of global supply chains.
Role and Responsibilities
In his new role, Singh will:
- Collaborate with USISPF’s global members and government stakeholders to streamline supply chains.
- Focus on regulatory alignment, infrastructure readiness, and public-private cooperation.
- Spearhead initiatives to diversify trade and investment flows, integrating India more deeply into global value networks.
- Promote innovation, resilience, and competitiveness, with an aim to boost manufacturing, exports, and GDP growth.
The USISPF emphasized that strengthening global value chains is crucial for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and reinforcing India’s position in international trade.
Read also: Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas Highlights Importance of Central Deputation for IPS Officers
Distinguished Career in Public Service
Mr Singh brings decades of experience across economic governance, consumer markets, infrastructure, digital governance, public health, and public-private partnerships. Notably:
Served as Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, where he pioneered India’s first AI-enabled grievance redressal system.
Digitized consumer courts nationwide, enabling e-filing, case tracking, and multilingual video hearings, leading to a historic milestone in 2023, when more cases were disposed of than filed.
Expanded the National Consumer Helpline into a 17-language, omni-channel platform, enhancing accessibility and responsiveness.
Briefly served post-retirement as Member at the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCRDC).
Singh is recognized for modernizing India’s consumer protection landscape and integrating digital governance into public administration.
Educational Background
Mr Singh’s academic credentials are equally impressive:
- Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU
- Master’s in Computer Engineering – Clarkson University, New York
- Master in Public Administration (MPA) – Harvard University
These qualifications underpin his expertise in digital transformation, infrastructure, and public policy, making him well-suited for his new role at USISPF.
Leadership Commentary
On his appointment, Singh stated – “The next generation of global value chains will be digital, data-enabled, and trust-anchored. India’s investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital public goods create an unprecedented opportunity to integrate more deeply into global supply networks. I look forward to collaborating with USISPF to foster innovation, resilience, and regulatory cooperation that enhance competitiveness and deliver tangible economic outcomes.”
USISPF President and CEO Dr. Mukesh Aghi added, “Mr Singh brings exceptional depth in policy and executional leadership. From pioneering AI-enabled consumer reforms to advancing large-scale public-private partnerships, his insights will be invaluable as USISPF strengthens global trade, infrastructure, and regulatory cooperation.”
Significance of the Appointment
Mr Singh’s appointment underscores USISPF’s commitment to building resilient and diversified supply chains between India and the U.S., facilitating smoother trade, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering sustained economic growth. His experience in digital governance and policy implementation is expected to bring a strategic edge to bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and investment.
