Washington: The US Indians have launched a new think-tank called Indian American Policy Institute to strengthen their voice in US affairs.

Those who will be in the forefront of Institute's activities include Vinod Gupta (chief executive officer – CEO – of InfoUSA), Shailesh Mehta (former CEO of Providian Financial Services), Zach Zachariah, Akshay Desai (cardiologists) Rajat Gupta, Adil Zainulbhi (both of McKinsey), Aneesh Chopra of the Advisory Board Company, Girish Reddy (formerly with Goldman Sachs) and Sonal Desai (University of Maryland).

The idea behind the think tank is not to displace any others in the field and it will function in an entirely non-partisan manner, a release issued by the Policy Institute said.

The Institute will not have any PAC (Political Action Committees that give donations to political parties and candidates), although individual members would be free to support any party or make any contribution.

With headquarters in Washington, the organisers noted, the new think-tank has briefed senior administration and prepared papers and proposals on the new National Strategy to Security Cyberspace. In addition, volunteers associated with the Institute also help write papers on international trade and economic development in India.

The Policy Institute is gearing up to prepare the Indian American community for the 2004 election season. To that end, it will begin an outreach to other communities. It is also exploring collaborations with other think-tanks and academic institutions.

PTI