Over 100 members and dignitaries attend as ICCC unveils its 2026 strategic initiatives
The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) successfully hosted its Members’ Meet & Greet on December 5, bringing together more than 100 members, dignitaries, past presidents, and community leaders for an evening of engagement, networking, and strategic insight.
In his address, ICCC President Prashant Srivastava reflected on the Chamber’s remarkable 48-year journey and outlined an ambitious vision for the year ahead. He announced three major initiatives forming the core of ICCC’s 2026 Annual Plan—an agenda he described as “not simply a roadmap, but a declaration of intent.”
Key Initiatives Announced for 2026
1. ICCC India Mission – Mid-February 2026
President Srivastava formally announced the upcoming India Mission, scheduled for mid-February 2026. The mission aims to open new avenues for Canadian businesses to engage with India’s dynamic industries, emerging innovators, and rapidly expanding markets. It will provide unparalleled opportunities to explore trade partnerships at a time when India’s economic momentum continues to accelerate globally.
2. Canada–India Partnership Summit – May 2026
In May 2026, the ICCC will host the Canada–India Partnership Summit, a high-level platform convening policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. The Summit will foster dialogue, strengthen bilateral engagement, and shape the next era of strategic cooperation between Canada and India.
3. ICCC Annual Gala 2026 – Launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations
The Chamber also announced preparations for its Annual Gala 2026, which will mark the beginning of ICCC’s 50th anniversary celebrations. This milestone signifies five decades of building economic, cultural, and personal bridges between Canada and India. The Golden Jubilee celebrations will honour the Chamber’s legacy while highlighting its continued commitment to growth and innovation.
Introduction of the New Board of Directors
President Srivastava introduced the newly elected 2025–26 Board of Directors:
- Dr. Indira Khurana, Corporate Secretary
- Vikas Gupta, VP Finance & Director, Trade
- Alok Nagpal, VP Membership & Trade
- Vinay Thapliyal, VP Legal and SME
- Sandeep Mamgain, VP, Events & Sponsorship
- Deepak Malik, Director, Outreach & Public Affairs
- Ajay Tandon, Director
- Deepak Shamnani, Director
- Mukesh Narula, Nominated Director
- Nandini Roy, Nominated Director
Dignitaries in Attendance
A distinguished group of dignitaries attended the event as special guests, including:
- Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General of Ontario
- Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business
- MPP Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, and Research Excellence and Security
- MPP David Smith, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines
- Councillor Dipika Damerla, Mississauga City Council
- Abhishek Ranjan, Assistant Section Officer, Consulate General of India
- Patrice Barnes, Chair, Premier’s Council for Equal Opportunity
In their remarks, dignitaries acknowledged the ICCC’s longstanding contributions to the Indo-Canadian business community:
- Hon. Tibollo spoke about his visits to India and highlighted India’s contributions to Ayurveda and Yoga.
- Hon. Minister Tangri emphasized the importance of small businesses—representing 98% of Ontario’s business sector—and recognized that a majority of ICCC members are small business owners.
- MPP Anand, shared his personal experience as a newcomer in 2006 and appreciated the mentorship and support ICCC provides to new immigrants.
- Mr. Ranjan from the Consulate General of India highlighted an upcoming AI conference in Delhi on February 18–19 and extended an invitation to ICCC members.
- MPP Smith, Councillor Damerla, and Ms. Barnes congratulated the new Board and reaffirmed their support for ICCC’s mission.
Attendance of Past Presidents and Advisory Board
The event was further honoured by the presence of several Past Presidents, including Mr. Ramesh Chotai, one of ICCC’s founding leaders and a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honour conferred by the President of India to overseas Indians.
Advisory Board Chair Mr. Kam Rathee and Vice-Chair Mr. Murarilal Thapliyal were also in attendance, underscoring the strong continuity of leadership and mentorship within the Chamber.
