Obama names Delhite Ajay Banga to trade policy body

President Barack Obama intends to appoint Ajay Banga, the Indian-American President and CEO of MasterCard, as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

The White House Thursday announced Obama's intent to appoint Banga, who is also the current chairman of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) representing more than 300 of the largest global companies investing in India, with 5 other key Administration posts.

"The talent and expertise these individuals bring to their roles will serve our nation well. I am grateful for their service, and look forward to working with them," said Obama, whose administration has over two dozen Indian-Americans serving in key jobs.

Banga, who received a BA from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, has been President and CEO of MasterCard since 2009.

Earlier, he held various senior management roles with Citigroup between 1996 and his departure in 2009, when he served as CEO of Citigroup Asia Pacific.

He served as Director for Marketing and Business Development at PepsiCo Restaurants International India from 1994 to 1996.

Banga began his career at Nestlé India, where he served in various sales and management roles from 1981 to 1994.

Banga is a member of the Board of Directors of MasterCard and The Dow Chemical Company, Vice Chairman of The Business Council, Member of the Executive Committee of the Business Roundtable, Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and Member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum.