Background

As part of the third Raisina Dialogue DC, the Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America) hosted a panel discussion on “Competing on Connectivity: A Strategy for Infrastructure Investment”. The discussion highlighted U.S., Japan, and Indian perspectives on development finance initiatives, overseas infrastructure including connectivity projects, and the scope for multilateral coordination between like-minded partners.

Speakers

• Tomoyuki Hirata: Chief Representative (Washington, D.C.), Japan Bank for International Cooperation

• Naz El-Khatib: Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

• Tanvi Madan: Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Brookings Institution

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

Event Summary

The panelists described the mandates of the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and provided sectoral and geographic examples of their overseas investments. Tanvi Madan of the Brookings Institution described India’s evolving approach to development finance and unpacked initiatives like the Export-Import Bank of India’s (EXIM Bank) concessional Lines of Credit. The speakers also underlined the importance of international collaboration and coordination between like-minded partners like the United States, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Germany, France, etc. The discussion was attended by representatives from the U.S. government, embassies, private sector, think tanks, academia, and media.