Reinforcing the growing economic partnership between India and the United States, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) welcomed a distinguished delegation of U.S. senators, state legislators, and representatives from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) at its Mumbai headquarters for an in-depth dialogue on the Indian gem and jewellery industry.

The visit provided a platform for exchanging perspectives on global trade, industry developments, and opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations in the gems and jewellery sector.

The U.S. delegation comprised Wayne Harper, President Emeritus and President Pro Tempore, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL); Dan Saddler, Member, Alaska House of Representatives; Chase Blasi, Member, Kansas Senate; Chris Lee, Member, Hawaii Senate; Kirstin Kahaloa, Member, Hawaii House of Representatives; Ron Winterton, Member, Utah Senate, representing Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah and Wasatch counties; and Bryan Thomas, Chief Communications Officer, NCSL.

Welcoming the delegation were Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Mehul Shah, Vice President, Bharat Diamond Bourse; Ashish Borda, Convenor – PMBD, GJEPC; Mital Doshi, Convenor – Banking, Insurance & Taxation Committee (BITC), GJEPC; Bharat Ghori, Member – Diamond Panel, GJEPC; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.

During the interaction, GJEPC representatives presented a comprehensive overview of India’s gem and jewellery industry, highlighting its contribution to exports, employment generation, skill development, and global supply chains. Discussions also focused on the evolving landscape of natural and lab-grown diamonds, international compliance standards, the Kimberley Process, and industry-led welfare initiatives.

The dialogue underscored the importance of continued engagement between policymakers and industry stakeholders in fostering transparent, sustainable, and mutually beneficial trade relations.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the opportunity to exchange insights and explore avenues for greater collaboration in the evolving global gem and jewellery ecosystem.