IAWA India Forum

03/20/2025
09:00:00 - 15:00:00 IND

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Forum

Agenda: Subject to Change; Speakers To Be Confirmed

9:30 am - 9:30 am	Arrivals and Registration
9:30 am –  10:30 am	Networking over Breakfast
10:30 am –10:45 am	Safety Briefing Welcome by IAWA Chair India: Mansi Singh Agenda Setting Welcome by President Elect IAWA and Acting VP Asia Pacific: Marita Lintener
10:45 am - 10:55 am	Keynote Address: Neelu Khatri, Co-Founder and SVP, Akasa Air  The keynote address will provide a deep analysis of India’s aviation sector, highlighting its rapid growth, economic impact, and key government and industry-led initiatives shaping its trajectory. It will focus on critical workforce development challenges, addressing skill gaps and the urgent need for talent expansion. A central focus will be the state of gender diversity in aviation, spotlighting both progress and persistent barriers to women’s leadership in technical, operational, and executive roles. The session will emphasize the importance of inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities for women, ensuring sustainable growth and a more equitable future for the industry
10:55 am – 11:50 am	Inaugural Panel: Taking Flight: India’s Journey to Becoming a Global Aviation Hub Speakers:  Vishok Mansingh, CEO, Vman Divya Manchanda, The ePlane Saraniya P, Executive Vice President, Agnikul  Moderated by Vani Mehta, Regional General Counsel South Asia, GE Aerospace     India’s aviation sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, yet 85% of its fleet is leased from offshore companies. The government aims to position GIFT IFSC as a global leasing hub to reduce dependency and drive Atmanirbhar Bharat in aviation. However, success hinges on competitive tax incentives, a strong domestic MRO industry, and a reliable aircraft repossession framework. This panel will explore whether India can realistically become a global aviation hub, addressing key barriers such as taxation, regulatory challenges, and the impact of the Cape Town Convention on lessor confidence.
11:50 am – 12:00 pm	Break
12:00 pm  –1:00 pm	Panel 2: Flying into the Future: Building a Skilled Workforce to Propel India's Aviation Aspirations Speakers: Neerja Bhardwaj, Country HR Business Partner, GE Aerospace   Aparna C Sheila-Vadde, Principal Engineer, GE Aerospace Research Dr Srimathy Kesan, Founder & CEO, Space Kidz India  Moderated by Rica Roy, Lead, Special Projects, Aspire For Her |Consultant Sports Editor, NDTV 24x7     India’s ambition to become a global aviation hub hinges on a highly skilled workforce across areas such as research, engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance. However, gaps in technical expertise, emerging technologies, and gender diversity must be addressed. This panel will explore the role of academic institutions, public-private partnerships, and government initiatives in building a future-ready talent pipeline. It will also discuss strategies to increase women’s participation, leverage technology for training, and align skilling programs with industry needs to ensure India’s aviation sector remains competitive and sustainable.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm	Panel 3: Strengthening India’s Defense: Unlocking Aerospace Innovation and Local Manufacturing Potential Speakers: Sqn Ldr Supriya Bhosale, A&D Sales, Dassault Systèmes Sonali Badkul, Program Management Coordinator C295 Aircraft, Airbus  Hena Azmi, ideaForge  Moderated by Juhi Mehta, Partner, BTG Advaya      India's defense sector is undergoing a major transformation, with self-reliance in manufacturing emerging as a strategic priority. Government initiatives such as "Make in India," defense indigenization policies, and positive indigenization lists have set the stage for a stronger local defense manufacturing ecosystem. However, achieving this vision requires overcoming key challenges, including technology acquisition, supply chain efficiency, skill development, and fostering innovation. This panel will explore the role of aerospace advancements, MSMEs, and startups in driving defense manufacturing, as well as the policies and technologies needed to accelerate India’s journey toward self-reliance.
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm	Closing
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM	Lunch & Networking

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Setting: In-Person
John F. Welch Technology Centre
Whitefield
Bangalore,
INDIA

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Mansi Singh

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03/20/2025

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