In an interview, SMU Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs), Professor Rajendra K Srivastava shared about the strategic purpose of the University’s “India Initiatives”. SMU launched the initiative in 2012 and hosted the first Singapore-India Business Dialogue inaugurated by India's Deputy Prime Minister and Singapore's Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. This year’s recently concluded dialogue convened a high-profile forum of 350 thought leaders from both countries. The timely conversation focused on the key changes expected in the financial climate in the two countries following India’s elections; and its implications on companies and investors on both sides. On being asked the strategic purpose of such a dialogue, Prof Srivastava said, “Under SMU’s strategic India Initiatives, we want to generate fresh, timely, and forward-looking management insights with respect to India. We want to systematically connect the business, academic, and policy leaders of the two nations to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Singapore.”