On April 8, ORF America hosted students from George Washington University to discuss careers in international affairs and at think tanks, as well as critical and emerging technologies, AI, and the future of U.S.-India relations. The group met with:

• Jeffrey Bean, Technology Policy Program Manager and Editor

• Ishani Chettri, Communications Assistant

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director

• Ammar Nainar, Program Coordinator and Junior Fellow

• Medha Prasanna, Program Coordinator and Junior Fellow

On April 1, ORF America hosted a private roundtable on the Quad — Australia, India, Japan, and the United States — with government officials and experts. The roundtable explored how the Quad, which will be a key focus for regional cooperation under the second Trump administration, should evolve in its structure and focus.

On March 13, ORF America hosted DC-based space policy experts for an engaging discussion on the fast-evolving world of international space policy. With the global space economy projected to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, the conversation included insights into the latest policy and regulatory developments from the United States, India, and private sector companies like SpaceX.

Other topics included the significance of India's growing presence in space, the urgent need for a regulatory framework to ensure space sustainability, and the impact of the second Trump administration on U.S. space policy.

This was the 12th convening of ORF America’s Briefings & Beer series, which offers young professionals in D.C. the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts and network with peers.

Speakers: 

• Namrata Goswami, Professor of Space Security, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies

• Victoria Samson, Chief Director of Space Security and Stability, Secure World Foundation

• Brian Weeden, Systems Director, Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation

• Moderator: Ishani Chettri, Communications Assistant, ORF America

On March 12, ORF America hosted a group of William & Mary University students to discuss how India fits into U.S-China strategic competition with Executive Director Dhruva Jaishankar.

On February 27, ORF America hosted a private roundtable to explore how the United States can cooperate with partners and allies to diversify and strengthen critical mineral supply chains. The discussion sought to address the effectiveness of alternative critical minerals supply solutions, the impact of China’s export controls on clean-tech markets and industries, and whether existing partnerships must be reevaluated to consider long-term goals and potential domestic contradictions.

Critical minerals are key inputs into advanced technology manufacturing and products, including crucial advances in emerging energy technology and electric vehicles. With friction and competition between the United States and China continuing in critical and emerging technologies advancement, export controls (as well as the threat of higher tariffs) have increased tensions. Over the same period, the People’s Republic of China initially implemented several soft licensing controls with an explicit ban on exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, and antimony, as well as restrictions on high-purity graphite exports, with further limits implemented in early 2025. 

The United States, allied governments, U.S. companies, and allied and partner companies, well aware of China’s chokehold over raw mining or processing of certain critical minerals, rare earths, and critical materials, established the Mineral Security Partnership to address these challenges through partners like Japan, Australia, the European Union, India, and many others as well as exploring domestic discovery, mining, and processing options. However, many large economies' medium-term needs for critical minerals in clean energy face supply risks (e.g., import dependence, availability to meet demand) for several minerals. 

The roundtable was attended by officials from the U.S. Department of State, members of the European Commission, representatives from the diplomatic corps, business groups, think tanks, and consultancy firms.

Speakers: 

• Moderator: Jeffrey D. Bean, Program Manager, ORF America

• Barbara Glowacka, Member of the Cabinet, Office of the Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, European Commission 

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

• Mahnaz Khan, Vice President of Policy, Critical Supply Chains, Silverado Policy Accelerator

• Eike Klapper, First Secretary - Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs/Trade and Agriculture Section, Delegation of the European Union to the United States 

• Michael Newbill, Senior Advisor, Critical Mineral Supply Chains, U.S. Department of State

• Amb. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Former Assistant Secretary of State, ENR Bureau, U.S. Department of State

• Aditya Ramji, Director, India ZEV Center at UC Davis 

On February 26, ORF America hosted a group of Liberty University students, mostly from the Helms School of Government, to discuss India’s role in the world. The group met with:

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director

• Anit Mukherjee, Senior Fellow

• Ammar Nainar, Program Coordinator and Junior Fellow.

On February 15, ORF America, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation and the Ministry of External Affairs of India, hosted a lunch on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference. The discussion, “Exception and Exceptionalism: Deciphering the 2025 World Order”, focused on the conditions that can catalyze partnerships and cooperation, and preserve global stability and security, at this moment of global transition for the international order.

Speakers:

• H.E. Alexander Stubb, President, Finland

• H.E. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, India

• H.E. Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates

• H.E. Jon Huntsman, Vice Chairman and President, Strategic Growth, Mastercard

• Dr. Nathalie Tocci, Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy

• Moderator: Dr. Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, India

Photo Credit: MSC/Tobias Koehler

On February 13, ORF America hosted members of the D.C. diplomatic corps for a discussion on Trump 2.0. The event was part of ORF America’s Briefings & Beer series, which offers young professionals in D.C. the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts and network with peers.

Speakers: 

• Tamie Balaga, Political Counsellor, Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C.

• Yoav Katz, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, Israeli Embassy to the

  United States

• Maria Markowska, Head of the Political Section and First Counselor, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, D.C.

• Moderator: Medha Prasanna, Program Coordinator and Junior Fellow, ORF America

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to DC, ORF America hosted a series of discussions on the future of the U.S.-India partnership. The program was attended by officials from the U.S. government, embassies, private sector, think tanks, academia, media, and international organizations.

Panel 1: Deepening Strategic Relations

• Lindsey Ford, former Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council

• Sameer Lalwani, Senior Expert on South Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace

• Walter Russell Mead, Distinguished Fellow, The Hudson Institute

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America (moderator)

Panel 2: Implications for Trade and Business

• Amy Hariani, Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Business Council

• Richard Rossow, Senior Advisor and Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics, Center for Strategic & International Studies

• Anand Shah, Partner, The Asia Group

• Anthony Renzulli, Associate Partner, Albright Stonebridge Group, and Non-Resident Fellow, ORF America (moderator)

On December 10, ORF America hosted its 2024 Annual Dinner in San Francisco with alumni, partners, and friends.

Every year, the ORF America Annual Dinner brings together high-profile leaders from the public and private sector to discuss contemporary global governance issues impacting the current world order. The 2024 edition of the Annual Dinner featured a conversation on the future of American engagement with the world, as well as, the implications of emerging technologies on geopolitics, business and international development priorities. 

Speakers:

• Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President, Emirates Policy Center, UAE

• Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sweden

• Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California

• Tadashi Maeda, Chairman of the Board, Japan Bank for International

  Cooperation

• Marise Payne, former Foreign and Defense Minister, Australia

• Moderator: Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

On December 10, ORF America and ORF launched the Global Diaspora Forum with a gathering between leading diaspora members of India and Armenia. At the inaugural meeting of the Global Diaspora Forum, Indian-American and Armenian-American technology leaders and practitioners discussed the role of emerging technologies as a catalyst for economic growth, shared and emerging geopolitical challenges, and how diaspora networks can be better leveraged for a more innovative and resilient future.

About the Global Diaspora Forum:

India is among many countries to enjoy a large and successful diaspora, including in the United States. Indian-Americans are among the wealthiest and most educated communities in the country, and have risen to leadership positions in business, politics, science, and the arts. Indian-Americans also serve as important bridges between India and the United States. Similar trends can be observed among Indian communities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. 

Creating a network of prominent members of the Indian diaspora from around the world with counterparts associated with like-minded countries represents a major opportunity. A Global Diaspora Forum - anchored by ORF and its affiliates - will help link members of the Indian diaspora to counterparts from other communities around the world. It will help create networks, identify shared areas of concern, and explore opportunities for business and policy collaboration. 

Speakers:

• Hakob Arshakyan, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Science and Technology Development Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of Armenia and Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia

• Vinod Dham, Founder and Executive Managing Partner, IndoUS Venture Partners

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

• Khanderao Kand, President, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies

• Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation

• Yervant Zorian, Chairman, APRI Armenia; Vice President, Armenian General Benevolent Union; President, Synopsys Armenia

On December 6, ORF America hosted a private roundtable titled “Bridging Perspectives: Shaping Development Priorities for the Global South”. The event facilitated an insightful conversation on the pressing challenges for economic development in the Global South with a select group of participants from multilateral development banks, think tanks, philanthropies, and the private sector.

The participants reflected on key milestones from 2024 including the IMF and World Bank meetings, the Summit of the Future, and COP29 among others. The discussion identified critical gaps and proposed key action points for Global South collaboration in 2025.

As the collective influence of the Global South grows through the consecutive G20 presidencies of Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa, the upcoming Financing for Development conference, and COP30 in Bélem in 2025, the discussion focused on three key priorities:

1. Examining the outcomes from significant convenings in 2024, such as the UN Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, the World Bank’s enhanced lending capacity, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty established during Brazil’s G20 presidency, and the financial commitment made during COP29 for climate action.

2. Exploring whether or not the ongoing global commitments adequately addressed the urgency of the Global South’s needs.

3. Assessing the available opportunities for the Global South to take action to drive effective and sustainable solutions in 2025.

The participants noted the importance of articulating clear priorities and course of action to sustain the momentum generated in 2024. However, questions were raised about the adequacy and effectiveness of development finance to address the needs of the Global South particularly in climate adaption and clean energy transition. The discussions also called into question whether the current strategy of private sector engagement is appropriate and whether countries of the Global South had the capacity to absorb increased flow of resources effectively.

The conversations emphasized that the Global South needs more institutional capacity to gain credibility and provide leadership in multilateral forums. Countries of the Global South should agree on a set of priorities, develop action plans, and develop coordination mechanisms to strengthen their bargaining power to drive the global development agenda in 2025.

Attendees:

• Magdi Amin, Managing Partner, African Renaissance Partners

• Pepukaye Bardouille, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Barbados and Director, Bridgetown Initiative

• Ridhika Batra, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Mahindra Group

• Udaibir Das, Distinguished Senior Fellow, ORF America, and Visiting Professor, National Council for Applied Economic Research

• Alan Gelb, Senior Fellow Emeritus, Center for Global Development

• Hemang Jani, Senior Advisor to Executive Director, World Bank

• Vikrum Mathur, Senior Director, Tata Sons - North America

• Anit Mukherjee, Senior Fellow, ORF America

• Karen Rodriguez, Alternate Executive Director for Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Philippines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago, World Bank

• Jordan Sandman, Principal, Investments, Co-Develop

• Sharon Stirling, Chief Operating Officer, ORF America

• Fabio Veras Soares, Director of International Studies, Institute for Applied Economic Research, Brasilia

• Brian Webster, Research Associate, Center for Global Development

On December 5, Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, launched his new book, "Vishwa Shastra: India and the World", at Teen Murti Bhavan in New Delhi.

Published by Penguin India, "Vishwa Shastra" is meant as an introduction to India in international affairs. It describes a long history of India's interactions with the world, from ancient times to the present day. Speaking to a wide audience that includes policymakers, scholars and especially students, the book offers both rich, historical context and forward-looking strategies for India.

The launch featured remarks by Samir Saran, President of ORF and Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief of Penguin Random House India, as well as a panel discussion with Shamika Ravi of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, Indrani Bagchi, CEO of the Ananta Centre; C. Raja Mohan, Columnist with the Indian Express; and Ashok Malik, Partner at The Asia Group.

Watch the launch here.

Michael Newbill, Senior Advisor, Critical Mineral Supply chains, U.S Department of State, delivered keynote remarks on the importance of fostering U.S.-India climate cooperation and the active engagement of emerging leaders on climate and energy issues.

Following his remarks, the cohort presented the volume's nine chapters, covering critical topics like capacity building for climate action, green hydrogen, methane emissions, urban planning, electric vehicles, rooftop solar, mineral supply chains, digital public infrastructure, and the intersection of climate and health.

On November 14, ORF America hosted a roundtable with the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI), the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), and the Embassy of India in Brazil in advance of the meeting of the leaders of India, Brazil and South Africa during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The conversation identified common ground among the IBSA troika and recommended action plans reflecting the voice of the Global South in four areas:

(i) Agreeing on the pathway for the reform of global Institutions to achieve SDGs;
(ii) Strengthening the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and Mission LiFE;
(iii) Accelerating energy transition with social justice; and
(iv) Promoting Inclusive and equitable digital transformation.

There was wide consensus that IBSA can play an important role to amplify voices of the Global South and focus on the development agenda both within G20 and in other multilateral groupings. The consecutive presidencies of India and Brazil followed by South Africa in 2025 is an opportune moment to delineate common positions on issues such as addressing the debt crisis, financing the energy transition, addressing poverty and inequality, and accelerating progress towards the SDGs. The roundtable participants also emphasized that IBSA is well positioned to guide the post-SDG development agenda and restructure the COP climate negotiation process, especially with Brazil hosting the COP30 in Bélem in 2025. 

Just over two decades after its formation, there is an opportunity to revive IBSA as a force for peace and development in an increasingly turbulent world. However, this would require increased political commitment among the leaders of the three countries than has been the case over the past decade. This needs to be backed by a commitment to invest resources and create concrete programs for collaboration among the three countries, something that has been an impediment to IBSA's influence until now.

Speakers:

• Marianna Albuquerque, Senior Fellow, CEBRI

• Pamla Gopaul, Senior Research Fellow, African Union Development Agency

  (AUDA-NEPAD)

• Feliciano Guimarães, Senior Fellow, CEBRI

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

• Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India

• Matsosha Mnguni, G20 Coordinator, Director General of International Relations and

  Cooperation (DIRCO), Government of South Africa

• Anit Mukherjee, Senior Fellow, ORF America

• Antonio Patriota, Ambassador of Brazil to the United Kingdom

• Suresh Reddy, Ambassador of India to Brazil

• Fabio Veras Soares, Director of International Studies, Instituto de Pesquisa

  Economia Aplicada (IPEA)

On November 12, ORF America hosted a discussion on the 2024 U.S. elections. The discussion explored the issues and trends that informed the outcome of the 2024 U.S. elections.

This was the tenth convening of the Briefings & Beer series, which is organized by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, D.C. The series offers young professionals the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts, as well as a platform to network with peers. This discussion was attended by journalists, think tank analysts, and embassy officials.

Speakers: 

• Clifford Young, President, Ipsos U.S. Public Affairs

• Kristin Davison, Partner, Axiom Strategies

• Moderator: Natalie Boyse, Program Manager, Global Programs, ORF America

On October 23, ORF America hosted a discussion on the Quad with members of the FourSight task force. FourSight: A Task Force on China's Strategic Futures works to promote academic and professional cooperation among emerging China scholars from Quad countries, while offering new perspectives and assessments to policymakers.

The speakers shared their experiences from the FourSight workshop so far, including what surprised them the most in their meetings with China experts in the U.S. government and think tank spaces. They also discussed differences between the Quad countries’ perspectives and challenges when dealing with China, as well as how they became interested in China.

This was the ninth convening of the Briefings & Beer series, which is organized by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, D.C. The series offers young professionals the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts, as well as a platform to network with peers. This discussion was attended by journalists, think tank analysts, and embassy officials.

Speakers: 

• Shikha Aggarawal, Visiting Fellow, India Foundation

• Takuya Matsuda, Adjunct Lecturer, Aoyama Gakuin University

• Philip Rogers, Senior Manager, China, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• Neil Thomas, Fellow on Chinese Politics, Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy Institute

• Moderator: Medha Prasanna, Junior Fellow and Program Assistant, ORF America

On October 16, ORF America hosted a private lunch with Nihal Chauhan, Non-Resident Fellow at ORF America and the Chief Executive Officer of Indo-Pacific Advisory, a Singapore-based strategic consultancy firm. The conversation explored business and commercial perspectives on India’s engagement with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.

As India attempts to strengthen strategic and economic ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific, a number of trends are emerging — the significance of industrial policy in the aftermath of global financial crises and the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing alignment between government priorities and business interests, and re-alignments of supply chains. Participants discussed the potential implications of U.S.-China competition and the upcoming U.S. presidential election on India’s relations with the Indo-Pacific.

The lunch was attended by U.S. government officials from the White House and Congress, along with representatives from the diplomatic corps, business groups, think tanks, and strategic consultancy firms.

Speakers:

• Nihal Chauhan, Non-Resident Fellow, ORF America

• Moderator: Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

On October 16, ORF America hosted the fifth Chips for Breakfast, a private roundtable to facilitate frank conversations among a select group of U.S. and foreign government officials, industry representatives, and policy experts about the current state of U.S. semiconductor policy,  technology leadership, and collaboration with like-minded partners.

With numerous companies seeking to develop, train, and operationalize large language models and other applied AI uses, the workhorses of artificial intelligence - particularly advanced graphics processing units and advanced compute hyperscalers - are crucial. Yet the bottleneck of data centers and ultimately, hardware, remains a key limitation for AI researchers and the private sector, as parallel processing remains essential. At the same time, the United States and its partners and allies are also wrestling with regulatory and governance considerations on a host of issues tied to AI. Differences in preferred regulatory approaches are starting to become more salient, but are not yet institutionalized.

Against the backdrop of more than two years since the passage of the CHIPS & Science Act, this meeting focused on advanced compute and artificial intelligence. It sought to address key questions along three lines of inquiry. First, what is the current landscape in the United States for advanced compute and applied artificial intelligence research? Second, it analyzed whether there are crucial breakthroughs or challenges in AI that are expected to change the status quo? Third, it assessed how hardware specific issues affect regulatory concerns emerging at the national and multilateral levels. The discussion also assessed differences in sovereign versus private sector advanced compute capacity and the hurdles facing smaller states and middle powers in their efforts to formulate AI-related policies. 

During Climate Week NYC, ORF America partnered with Sequoia Climate Foundation and the Council on Foreign Relations to convene experts and practitioners for a dialogue on global decarbonization and its role in advancing a wide range of policy objectives.

Speakers:

• Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for the United Kingdom’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

• Mari Elka Pangestu, Indonesia’s Special Envoy for Climate Finance

• John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy and Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation

During the 2024 edition of India Day @ UNGA, Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America, moderated a session titled “To the Lighthouse? Promises and Pathways for the Rising South."  The discussion explored how countries in the Global South are helping to craft a collective South-led vision for sustainable development. 

Speakers:

• Aude Darnal, Research Analyst and Project Manager, Stimson Center 

• Udaibir Saran Das, Distinguished Fellow, ORF America

• Gargee Ghosh, President, Global Policy & Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• Daniel Seymour, Director, Strategic Partnerships, UN Women

• Moderator: Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

On September 18, ORF America hosted a discussion on U.S. elections and their future implications for transatlantic security with Kori Schake, Max Bergmann, and Constanze Stelzenmuller. The event was part of ORF America’s Briefings & Beer series.

The discussion revolved around three themes: ongoing foreign policy debates within the Democratic and Republican parties, possible changes to the U.S. and Europe’s strategy towards the Ukraine war, and future scenarios of NATO and Europe’s collective defense.

Participants highlighted how party perspectives are changing in both the United States and Europe on issues such as China, Russia, military interventions, and alliances. They also described how these issues are viewed in rural and suburban regions beyond D.C., Berlin, and Brussels. Participants also discussed U.S. strategy towards Ukraine and how policymakers are wrestling with budgetary constraints and other priorities including in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific regions. Finally, the session concluded with suggestions for different ways in which European countries can take more responsibility within NATO and possible outcomes for U.S.-Europe transatlantic security.

This was the eighth convening of the Briefings & Beer series, which is organized by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, D.C. The series offers young professionals the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts, as well as a platform to network with peers. This discussion was attended by graduate students, journalists, think tank analysts, embassy officials, and military officers.

Speakers: 

• Max Bergmann, Director of Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies

• Kori Schake, Senior Fellow & Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute

• Constanze Stelzenmuller, Director of the Center on the United States and Europe & Fritz Stern Chair on Germany and Trans-Atlantic Relations, Brookings Institution

• Moderator: Ammar Nainar, Junior Fellow and Program Assistant, ORF America

On September 16, ORF America hosted a conversation with Smriti Zubin Irani, a notable Indian public figure who served as a Cabinet Minister from 2014 to 2024. During this time, she oversaw various portfolios including Women and Child Development; Education; Minority Affairs; Textiles; and Information and Broadcasting. She was the first woman to hold office as Cabinet Minister for Education and as Minister of Textiles.

The conversation revolved around the changing nature of politics in India, focusing on the role of women in India’s economy and society. How are more women integral to India’s political discourse today? How are women participating in India’s competitive democracy after the unanimous passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, which required that the Lok Sabha reserve at least 33 percent of seats for women?

Many women working in informal sectors are not recognized for their economic contributions. The 15.5 million women-owned businesses in India generate significant employment, but their impact is often undercounted. Irani, however, mentioned that there is a growing recognition of women's importance in the workforce. Introducing financial inclusion initiatives, such as opening bank accounts for women, has led to significant economic benefits, with women generating 12% higher revenue than men.

Yet challenges remain. Access to technology needs to be more affordable and accessible, especially given language barriers in India, which sometimes make access to innovative payment methods and other technological tools challenging. While the number of women pursuing STEM degrees and PhDs has increased by 100 percent, there needs to be a greater focus on helping them monetize their education, as well as increasing women's leadership roles in academia and beyond.

Speaker:

• Smriti Irani, former Indian Cabinet Minister for Education; Women & Child Development; Information and Broadcasting; Textiles; and Minority Affairs

• Moderator: Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America