Washington: The US-India CEO Forum, including captains of industry and top government officials from both sides, meets here Thursday to forge an action plan to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Indian Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and US Deputy National Security Adviser Michael Froman along with CEO co-chairs Ratan Tata and David Cote will lead the forum, the State Department announced Tuesday. US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will welcome the group to the meeting at the State Department, highlighting the important role the private sector plays in the US-India partnership. In addition to the American and Indian CEOs, many senior Indian and US officials will participate, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and Under Secretary for Economics, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert D. Hormats. The CEO Forum was created in July 2005, and reconstituted in November 2009. The forum is a true public-private endeavour to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The forum gives the US and Indian CEOs the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest and submit discrete, action-oriented recommendations to both governments for consideration. The forum last met in November 2010 in New Delhi.