"The Atlantic Council announced the induction of Anil Ambani, one of India's best-known business leaders, to its international advisory board - a prominent group of global corporate and political leaders," a company statement said.

Welcoming Ambani, former Utah governor and Chairman of the Atlantic Council, Jon M Huntsman, said: "The Atlantic Council's presence in South Asia and in particular India is growing at a rapid pace and Anil's presence on our board could not be more timely. We look forward to working with him to make a difference."

Other notable members of the board include Dr Zbigniew K Brzezinski, former US national security advisor; P.M. Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden; Lord Robertson, former secretary general of NATO. The business leaders include Hakan Buskhe, President and CEO, SAAB; Stephen A Schwarzman, CEO of the Blackstone Group and Marillyn A Hewson, Chairman, Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Ambani said, "I am delighted to accept Jon's invitation to join the advisory board of the Atlantic Council, which is undoubtedly America's leading and most influential think-tank on global strategic affairs. This is a clear recognition by the Council of India's growing geopolitical influence under Prime Minister Modi's visionary and transformational leadership."

The Atlantic Council is a foreign policy think-tank headquartered in Washington, DC.