On Thursday, March 28th, ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Michael Singh and Dr. Hussein Ibish. Mr. Singh is currently the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute, and a former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council. Dr. Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute. He previously served as a senior fellow at the American Task Force on Palestine, and as executive director of the Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation for Arab-American Leadership.

The purpose of this edition of Briefings & Beer was to explore the drivers, outcomes, and future of geopolitical transformations in the Middle East. Rather than focusing on immediate developments involving Israel and Gaza, the conversation focused on how longer term security, development, and energy trends are going to be affected, and what their implications are for relations with the United States, Europe, China, and India. It also covered the emerging strategic and economic interests of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Questions from the audience addressed Qatar’s diplomatic partnerships and prospects for peace talks in the region. 

This was the sixth convening of the Briefings & Beer series, which is organized by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC. The series offers young professionals the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts,  as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants come from the U.S. Government, Congress, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector.

Background

On 3/14, ORF America hosted a closed-door roundtable discussion with Armenia’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and the Foreign Policy Head of the Civil Contract party Dr. Narek Mkrtchyan. He was a professor at the Yerevan State University before being appointed as a Member of Armenia’s National Assembly. In 2021, he was appointed as the Minister for Labor and Social Affairs. Dr. Mkrtchyan has also participated in various Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogues in the US, Germany, France, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, Georgia.

Summary

The roundtable featured a discussion on geopolitics in the Caucasus region including the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the role of Russia and the Central Security Treaty Organization, and other regional players like Turkey and Iran. Participants also exchanged perspectives on North-South connectivity between the regions of Caucasus, Indo-Pacific, and Europe. To that end, Armenia has launched a set of principles called the “Crossroads of Peace”. Furthermore, the discussion extensively touched upon Armenia’s growing ties with India, France and the U.S. Three factors namely military and security cooperation, trade and supply chains; and the role of diaspora and people to people ties are broadly driving Armenia’s new ties with India and the West. The roundtable was attended by officials from the Indian and Armenian Embassies, media, trade bodies, think tanks and diaspora groups.

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.

Washington DC | December 18, 2023

On December 18th, the Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America) hosted its Annual Dinner with representatives from industry, U.S. government, think tanks, academia, foundations, media, and embassies. The dinner featured the following special guests:

• Amb. Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India to the United States

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

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

• Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister, Canada

• Sunjoy Joshi, Chairman, Observer Research Foundation, India

• Jane Holl Lute, former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, United States

• Marise Payne, former Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, Australia

• David Victor, Professor, University of California San Diego, United States

• Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, India (moderator)

The program began with a keynote speech followed by opening remarks on recent developments in U.S.-India relations and India’s G20 presidency.

The panel discussion highlighted the present state of global politics namely developments in the Trans-Atlantic alliance, climate change negotiations, and military tensions in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions. Previewing trends for 2024, speakers highlighted how elections in the U.S., Europe, India, and other Indo-Pacific countries will impact global politics, economics, and trade for the foreseeable future.

ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Stephen Ezell and Dr. Andreas Kuehn. Stephen is currently vice president for global innovation policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and director of ITIF’s Center for Life Sciences Innovation. Dr. Andreas Kuehn is currently a senior fellow at ORF America and leads research on the cyber and tech governance program. 

This fifth edition of the series, on semiconductors and technological alliances, covered a range of issues that explored the drivers, outcomes, and future of American tech alliances with young professionals in international affairs. The passage of huge pieces of legislation, increased bilateral cooperation, and international reconfiguration, made this a timely discussion. Panelists emphasized several solutions including minilateralism, safeguarding intellectual property rights, and implementing a rules based system. On semiconductors, panelists noted important challenges to the implementation of critical U.S. legislation, including readiness of countries to ‘friend-shore’ as well as attracting and retaining talent crucial to this industry. 

This was the fifth convening of the series hosted by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC. The series offers participants the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts,  as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants include Washington, DC’s best and brightest from the U.S. Government, Congressional Staff, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector.

Background

On October 11, the Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America) hosted a closed-door roundtable with Dr. Anit Mukherjee discussing Indian military and defense policy reforms with stakeholders from the U.S. government, academia, think tanks, media, and the private sector in Washington D.C. Dr. Mukherjee is the Deputy Head of Graduate Studies and an Associate Professor at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS-NTU) in Singapore. He is also the author of The Absent Dialogue: Politicians, Bureaucrats, and the Military in India (Oxford University Press) and a former Indian Army officer. He obtained his PhD from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.

Summary

The roundtable featured the distribution of a joint report titled “Momentous Changes: Defense Reforms, Military Transformation, and India’s New Strategic Posture” published by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi and RSIS-NTU in Singapore. The report captures various debates within India about recent changes in military strategy and defense policy after the 2020 India-China clashes along the Line of Actual control.  

These ongoing reforms include enhancing India’s military posture in its eastern frontiers, reforming the Defense Ministry, fostering jointness through theater commands, and exploiting opportunities for defense diplomacy with external partners. The Indian defense private sector is also expanding due to improvements in domestic manufacturing and technology. Though challenges remain like the lack of civilian expertise in defense matters, unclear procurement policies, vague command and control structures, and long-standing security threats from Pakistan and the western border. Participants also discussed other strategic challenges pertaining to the Indian military like professional education, recruitment, emerging technology, and the India-Russia defense relationship.

Overall, these opportunities and challenges create greater room for dialogue, coordination and collaboration with the U.S., and like-minded partners. Recent developments like the U.S.-India state visit in June 2023, and the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), indicate a positive direction for U.S.-India military ties and strategic cooperation.

The ORF-RSIS joint report is available here.

ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Paola Ridolfi and Vinay Chawla. Paola Ridolfi is currently a climate change advisor with the Climate Change Group at the World Bank, and a lead for the Bank's COP28 engagement this year. Vinay Chawla is currently senior advisor to U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and advisor to at the White House on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.

This fourth edition of the series, on COP28 and Climate, panelists covered several topics relevant for global climate talks at COP28 in Dubai in November 2023. Chief among these topics was the need to lower the cost of financing for climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Panelists highlighted greater private sector investment in climate for emerging markets as a potential solution to address this need. Incentives to increase private sector involvement must align fiduciary responsibilities for returns to private investors with adequate management of investment risk in these low and middle income countries.

This was the fourth convening of the series hosted by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC. The series offers participants the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts, as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants include Washington, DC’s best and brightest from the U.S. Government, Congressional Staff, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector.

Background

ORF America partnered with the Women’s Foreign Policy Group (WFPG) on a program exploring the current state of the U.S.-India relationship and its trajectory. This exclusive event, hosted at ORF America, consisted of an off the record panel discussion featuring prominent experts in the field followed by a networking reception.

WFPG empowers and advances women's leadership in international affairs through global policy programs. Attendees included women across business, government, journalism, diplomacy, and academia.

Discussion Summary

The panel discussed how the U.S.-India partnership is of growing importance and is expanding across all fronts. The panelists explored the commercial, defense, people-to-people, and geopolitical ties that underpin the U.S.-India relationship. A key takeaway from the discussion is that we are at a moment of ambition for the relationship and that India is a natural partner in combating global challenges. It, however, remains to be seen how much can be achieved and how quickly.

The event featured the following speakers:

Welcome Remarks

• Sharon Stirling, Chief Operating Officer, ORF America

• Alexa Chopivsky, Executive Director, Women's Foreign Policy Group

Panel Discussion

• Nancy Izzo Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

• Persis Khambatta, Director of Global Government Affairs for India and South Asia, Walmart

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

• Humeyra Pamuk, U.S. State Department Correspondent at Reuters (moderator)

Washington, D.C.

8:30 to 9:00 am EST (breakfast) | 9:00 to 10:30 am EST (panel discussion)

Background

The India-U.S. strategic partnership has seen considerable progress over the past few years, including in two leader-level summits held in 2023. In a new report, experts from the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi and the Hoover Institution, Stanford University analyze and assess different aspects of the relationship and chart a path forward.

Discussion Summary

Panelists discussed a newly-released report by the Hoover Institution and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) focused on U.S.-India strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The report focused on five areas: governance, trade, security, energy and technology. Of particular significance was the U.S.-India defense technology partnership, including recent announcements from the two leader-level summits in 2023, and ongoing economic and energy cooperation. Panelists described how people-to-people ties are a significant yet under-appreciated factor driving U.S.-India relations. The panelists highlighted the strategic implications of better mobility between the two countries’ workforces. Growing alignment in threat perceptions, frequent interactions and, widening habits of cooperation have enabled greater U.S.-India coordination in third regions too. Questions pertained to subjects such as the Indian Ocean region, BRICS and the Global South countries, and the Quad. Panelists described the Quad’s evolution and its significance for the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.

The discussion was concluded by the ORF President Dr. Samir Saran, who highlighted the broader importance of U.S.-India think tank engagements. He argued that collaboration on jet engine technology signals a “conscious decision” by India to double down on its strategic engagement with the U.S. This will also amplify other trends in India’s foreign policy including India’s deepening partnership with the West that will enable India to strengthen its capabilities and shape an international order conducive to its interests and values. 

Welcome Ramarks

• Sharon Stirling, Chief Operating Officer, ORF America

Panel Discussion

• S. Paul Kapur, Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution and Professor, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

• Joseph Felter, Research Fellow, Hoover Institution and William J. Perry Fellow, CISAC, Stanford University

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

Closing Remarks

• Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation

Please find the report on Hoover.

ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Ryan Hass and Vikram Singh. Ryan Hass is the director of the John L. Thornton China Center and the Chen-Fu and Cecilia Yen Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies at Brookings. He is also a nonresident affiliated fellow in the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. Vikram Singh is senior advisor to the Asia Program at USIP and is also senior advisor for defense and aerospace, at the U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum.

This third edition of the series, on Great Powers at the G20, explored how multilateral summits like the G20 offer spaces for both cooperation and competition. This year, Putin and Xi seem to be absent from many of these important conversations, and at the same time are pursuing the expansion of alternative platforms like BRICS. The discussion took advantage of the speakers’ extensive expertise in and out of government to offer some insight on what to expect in the coming months from multilateral summits.

The discussion reviewed several themes including recent high level U.S. government engagement with China, forging a consensus at the G20 summit in New Delhi, perception and misperceptions on Taiwan, as well as posturing in the Indo-Pacific. The speakers entertained questions on the relationship between economic integration and mitigating conflict, as well as the politics of leadership within the Chinese Communist Party.

This was the third convening of the series hosted by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC. The series offers participants the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts, as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants include Washington, DC’s best and brightest from the U.S. Government, Congressional Staff, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector.

ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Sajit Gandhi and Charles Morrison. Sajit Gandhi is the Deputy Staff Director at the House Foreign Affairs Committee (Democrats), and has spent over a decade advising the committee and staffing the chair on US Foreign Policy towards South Asia. Charles Morrison serves as Policy Director for Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Previously, he covered national security issues as Rep. Gallagher’s Legislative Director and at the American Enterprise Institute.

The purpose of #2 The Indo- Pacific Edition of this series was to address the various pieces of legislation by Congress and initiatives by the Biden Administration, to make sense of the big picture with respect to the U.S Indo-Pacific Strategy. It encouraged an across the aisle discussion, from senior congressional staffers whose committees are becoming increasingly consequential to long term strategy in the Indo-Pacific. 

The discussion reviewed the year since the launch of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)  in 2022. Particularly, when members of Congress think about the Indo-Pacific, what are they - and their constituents - most interested or worried about. Speakers explored legislation in the pipeline that might address concerns, and corresponding touch points across the aisle. The conversation also addressed converging and diverging partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. 

This was the second convening of the series hosted by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC.  The series offers participants the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy professionals,  as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants included Washington, DC’s best and brightest from the U.S. Government, Congressional Staff, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector. 

Background

As regional competition in the Indo-Pacific accelerates, it is important enough to understand and discern the present and future trajectory of the Quad. In this context, on May 19th, 2023, Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America), along with the Australia Strategic Policy Institute, Washington DC (ASPI Washington DC), and the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) hosted a virtual briefing on “Demystifying the Quad”. Featuring regional perspectives from India, Japan and Australia and the discussion was “on the record” and open to the public.

Discussion Summary

The Quad—a coalition of India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.-- was meant to convene for the 3rd leaders level summit in Australia but would instead meet at the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Japan. Irrespective of that, the Quad’s “scope and depth” of activities and the “pace and frequency of interactions” are in and of itself significant.  

First proposed by Japanese statesman Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan sees the Quad as key to securing and defending the “rules-based” order, both regionally and globally. The Quad’s purpose has evolved to become a forum for “tangible cooperation” on regional public goods, including maritime security, vaccine delivery and public health, climate change and sustainable infrastructure. India to a certain extent has driven this evolution. Partly due to its worsening threat perceptions of China after 2020 but also for its utility in “political signaling”. 

Undoubtedly then, has the Quad’s progress also been enabled by healthier bilateral ties amongst its members. Australia cannot imagine an Indo-Pacific without India and the Indian Ocean region. And the Quad is therefore central to Australia’s statecraft as it “meets the moment” and provides a “bridge” between its new partners and traditional alliances in the Anglo sphere.

A striking convergence, therefore, in regional perspectives is a wariness vis-à-vis China’s military, economic and political coercion. Also, the participants acknowledged the Quad’s flexibility to work with like-minded partners including South Korea who may share similar concerns about the Indo-Pacific’s security environment. The discussion took stock of initiatives already underway in maritime security, trade and supply chains, semiconductors, emerging technologies, and cyberspace. Besides, the “institutionalization” and the habits of cooperation being formed at the working and senior officials’ level were also touched upon.

However, the Quad’s progress can be subject to the vagaries of domestic politics and the pressure to deliver against expectations. Nonetheless, four maritime democracies working together on security and non-traditional security issues portends well for the present and future of the Indo-Pacific region. To learn more about this discussion, watch the video here.

Speakers:

• Mark Watson, Director, ASPI Washington DC

• Kei Koga, Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University

• Rajeswari Rajagopalan, Director, Centre for Security, Strategy & Technology, Observer Research Foundation

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

ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after hours discussion with Seema Sirohi. With over three decades of experience as a foreign correspondent, the illustrious Economic Times columnist offered her insight on the policy landscape in DC, with a focus on the US-India relationship. Furthermore, Ms. Sirohi talked about her latest book Friends with Benefits: The India-US Story, the key to good writing, and navigating tense environments in the pursuit of truth telling. 

This convening was the first of its kind, and the launch of a series hosted by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC.  The series offers participants the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy professionals,  as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants included Washington DC’s best and brightest from the U.S. Government, Congressional staff, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector. 

ORF America hosted a breakfast discussion with a group of corporate leaders from the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India. The discussion featured diverse perspectives from various Indian industries and reflected the growing strengths and tailwinds of the Indian economy.

The discussion—which was held under the Chatham House Rule-- began with an overview about India’s macroeconomic situation and the historical origins and role of FICCI. FICCI seeks to serve as an umbrella organization for multiple Indian chambers of commerce and industry. In this context, participants highlighted structural reforms underway in India’s economy. These include workforce skilling, strengthening manufacturing capacity, improving investments in national infrastructure and logistics and implementing sound fiscal policy. The burgeoning use of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across India in all sectors and other features of digital payments were also highlighted and heavily discussed. Also, participants deliberated on aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), increasing women participation in workforce, Production Linked Incentive (PLIs) and the One District One Product schemes as well.  

Furthermore, participants also touched upon FICCI’s Empower India initiative as part of India’s G20 presidency which seeks to accelerate and enhance women empowerment and leadership in business and corporate fields. The roundtable was attended by U.S. congressional staff and members of the U.S. private sector, trade bodies, civil society, and development banks.

Participants included:

• Subhrakant Panda, President, Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

• Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI

• Alok Shriram, Chief Executive Officer, DCM Shriram Industries Ltd.

• Kanika Shriram, President, DCM Shriram Industries Ltd.

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

The Raisina Dialogue DC

Washington DC | February 23, 2023

Background

As part of the Raisina Dialogue DC 2023, ORF America along with the Asia Group hosted a private breakfast roundtable (in-person) on Accelerating the U.S.-India Defense Industrial Partnership. The roundtable featured the launch and release of a new report Precision Targets: Accelerating U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation by Dhruva Jaishankar and Gopal Nadadur. The report outlines how to build upon U.S.-India defense co-production opportunities and make the commercial case for cooperation. Participants included key stakeholders from the U.S. Government including the National Security Council, State Department and the Pentagon and U.S. and Indian industries and thought leaders.

Summary

The next nine months to one year are critical to both the U.S. and India for boosting defense industrial cooperation. The strategic vision—amplified more recently by the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) —and the political will exists. Translating this into reality will require strengthening the “business case”; something which the 2008 Civil Nuclear deal couldn’t do so thoroughly. To that end, participants flagged key challenges such as systemic export control reforms (ITAR & DIFAR), inter-agency coordination, bureaucratic inertia, pace vs predictability, peculiarities of Indian and U.S. defense industries and intellectual property protection.

Participants also highlighted the opportunity of Indian defense exports to third countries and reflected on previous attempts at defense cooperation like the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). However, participants suggested that India’s asymmetric advantages, massive talent base, favorable geopolitics and sustained attention by high-level principals can sustain the momentum on this. Various mechanisms like the “2+2” Dialogue, the Defense Policy Group etc. can serve as forums to flag issues and galvanize action on defense industrial cooperation.  Nascent efforts are also underway to advance cooperation on emerging tech capabilities.

To know more about the opportunities and challenges in U.S.-India defense co-production, read ORF America’s latest background paper on Precision Targets: Accelerating U.S.-India defense industrial cooperation here.

Background

On January 17, ORF America co-organized a roundtable in New Delhi with The Asia Group on the India-U.S. defense industrial partnership. Held under the Chatham House Rule, the discussion featured Vani Rao, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs, as well as participants from the Indian National Security Council Secretariat, Ministry of Defence, U.S. Embassy, and Indian and U.S. industry. Participants discussed challenges and opportunities in co-production, technology transfer, licensing, sharing technical specifications, and export markets. 

Washington DC | December 16th, 2022

Background

2022 has been a turbulent year in international politics: the Russia-Ukraine War, China's 20th Party Congress, U.S. midterm elections, volatile energy and currency markets, and continuing disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have all contributed to the sense of uncertainty. What will the world look like in 2023, and what will it mean for the United States and its role in global affairs? To make sense of a “World in Flux”, ORF America hosted a panel discussion at its office in Washington DC, featuring prominent voices from Australia, Japan, Europe, India, and the UAE.

Discussion

Speakers highlighted the Russian invasion of Ukraine as exacerbating already existing political and economic shocks. Perhaps making it the most consequential geopolitical development of 2022. Thereafter, the discussion revolved around the big “strategic questions” that will animate the international community in 2023. For example, will the Ukraine conflict continue to be in the spotlight? Additionally, in a more competitive world, how will countries cooperate on common challenges like climate change and pandemics? How can the West listen and appreciate the concerns of the developing world or the “global south”? Is there potential for stronger cooperation between democracies in the context of a tighter Russia-China “no-limits” partnership? What is the future of the American alliance system and transatlantic unity?

Speakers

• Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President, Emirates Policy Centre

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

• Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister, Canada

• Marise Payne, former Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, Australia

• Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation (moderator)

Background

October 2022 marked the 60th anniversary of the India-China border war. As tensions continue between India and China along their disputed border, and as U.S.-China competition intensifies, what do the experiences of the past tell us about the future of strategic competition with China?

In this backdrop, ORF America hosted an in-person lunch roundtable discussion with Ambassador Nirupama Rao, former Indian Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to China and the United States. She is the author of the recent book, The Fractured Himalaya: India, Tibet, China 1949-1962.

The roundtable was held under the Chatham House rule and the discussion featured themes such as the history of Sino-India border relations, the nature of the India-China rivalry, Chinese strategic culture, the future of Tibet, economic decoupling, China-Russia relations, and the importance of archival research and applied history to improve policy making. The discussion was attended by diplomats, U.S. government officials, think tank scholars, journalists, corporate leaders and academics.  

Featuring

Nirupama Menon Rao

Dhruva Jaishankar (Moderator)

India's economy continues to grow and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, with burgeoning commerce with the United States, and new trade agreements being negotiated and concluded. But geopolitical competition, technological transformations, and the broader business climate continue to present challenges. In this backdrop, ORF America hosted a group of leading Indian business representatives, along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), for a private roundtable discussion.

This informal discussion was held under the Chatham House rule and covered topics such as the state of India's economy, trade policy, regulatory considerations, and India's integration into global value chains. The discussion was attended by corporate leaders, think tank scholars and members of the media.

Participants discussed opportunities and challenges confronting the digital economy, real estate, financial markets, the startup ecosystem, supply chains, commodities, and manufacturing. The discussion also revolved around key policy developments like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the National Logistics Policy aimed at enhancing India’s competitiveness.

Participants included:

• Lakshmanan Chidambaram, President, Mahindra USA

• Rajan Mittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises.

• Harsh Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group.

• Subhrakant Panda, Managing Director, Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Ltd.

• Sunil Sanghai, Chief Executive Officer, NovaaOne Capital Pvt Ltd.

• Adhil Shetty, Chief Executive Officer, BankBazaar.com.

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America.

Background

On September 8th, ORF America hosted an in-person lunch discussion with Dr. Shamika Ravi, Vice-President for Economic Policy at the Observer Research Foundation. Dr. Ravi provided context on India’s economic recovery post the pandemic and targeted delivery of welfare schemes. Besides, highlighting key pillars driving India’s G-20 agenda such as health, gender inclusion, clean energy transitions, digital technology, and supply chains. The discussion was held under the Chatham House rule and was attended by think tank scholars, journalists, corporate leaders, diplomats and U.S. government officials.

Featuring

Shamika Ravi

Dhruva Jaishankar (Moderator)

Washington DC | August 8th, 2022

One year after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, ORF America hosted an in-person panel discussion on the future of U.S. engagement in Afghanistan.

The panelists discussed on the past successes and failures of U.S. Afghan policy including the 2009 troop surge, the Doha Agreement, engagement with the Taliban and the role of different regional powers such as India, Pakistan, China and Russia. There was broad convergence on the need for the U.S. to further pressure the Taliban to secure its priorities on counterterrorism, democracy, and women’s empowerment.

This in-person program featured the following Speakers:

• Lt. Gen. Masoud Andarabi, Former Minister of Interior & Chief of Intelligence Service of Afghanistan

• Annie Pforzheimer, Senior Non-Resident Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS

• Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director, Indo-Pacific Security Program, CNAS

• Sadiq Amini, Program Manager, Outreach at ORF America

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

Background

On May 10th, ORF America hosted Zohar Palti, former head of the Political-Military Bureau at the Ministry of Defense of Israel, for an in-person lunch discussion. Palti discussed changing regional and global dynamics from Israel’s perspective and provided context for its partnerships with India and the U.S. The roundtable was co-organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). The discussion was under the Chatham House Rule and was attended by think tank scholars, corporate leaders, journalists, diplomats, and U.S. government officials.

Featuring

Zohar Palti

Dhruva Jaishankar (Moderator)

Washington DC | April 26th, 2022

I. Welcome Remarks

• Sharon Stirling, Chief Operating Officer, ORF America

• Dhruva Jaishankar Executive Director, ORF America (Read here)

II. The United States in the Indo-Pacific

• Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors & former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

• Michael Fullilove, Executive Director, The Lowy Institute, Australia

• Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator (R-Tenn.) and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan

• Mira Rapp-Hooper, Director, Indo-Pacific, U.S. National Security Council

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

The panel covered a wide swath of issues animating contemporary U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific region; the China challenge, Aukus, regional partnerships with ASEAN, India and Taiwan and the White House Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Senator Hagerty emphasized the importance of India and Japan and called for the U.S. to strengthen its economic and energy presence in the Indo-Pacific. Michele Flournoy stressed on the vital U.S. interests at stake namely China’s challenge to the regional rules-based order and foreshadowed that Taiwan could be a future flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. Mira Rapp-Hooper reiterated that U.S. prosperity and security is tied to the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the ongoing inter-agency coordination in implementing and resourcing the Indo-Pacific strategy. Michael Fullilove signaled Australia’s receptiveness with the U.S. government’s “allies first” approach and underlined the bipartisan nature of Australia’s concerns with China. Overall, there was strong convergence on the U.S. to buttress its regional partnerships and alliances to enhance deterrence as well as pool resources to address shared challenges. Also, speakers suggested the need to widen the conceptual appeal of the Indo-Pacific within the U.S. and boost people-to-people ties in the region.

III. Energy Security & Access: US Cooperation with the Developing World

• Katie Auth, Policy Director, Energy for Growth Hub

• Andrew Light, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

• Varun Sivaram, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

• Shayak Sengupta, Fellow, Energy and Climate, ORF America (moderator)

The panel covered critical questions around energy poverty, energy transitions, and energy security, focusing on developing countries. Rising energy prices resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, declining access to energy resulting from the pandemic, and climate change are all posing substantial and unique challenges for countries around the world. Speakers noted that energy discourse tends to be dominated by the EU and the United States, but this masks the unique and differentiated challenges faced by developing countries. The speakers highlighted that most developing countries are creating energy solutions of their own that must be harnessed and supported. This requires the mobilization of capital, especially public finance. It also requires the forging of mutually beneficial partnerships to catalyze existing technologies and lead to innovation.

IV. Securing Cyberspace and Critical Infrastructure

• Betsie Chacko, Associate Director, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

• Chris DeRusha, Federal Chief Information Security Officer, U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

• Elina Noor, Director, Political-Security Affairs, The Asia Society Policy Institute

• Bruce McConnell, Distinguished Fellow, ORF America (moderator)

Participants discussed the multifaceted challenges to coordination and cooperation in tackling cyberspace threats, both within the U.S. government, as well as internationally. Chris DeRusha argued that taking advantage of the different approaches that governments take to solve the common challenges of cyberspace is necessary. Betsie Chacko suggested that improved information sharing with partners is a critical part of collective defense because cyberspace issues do not respect national borders. Elina Noor stressed the importance of broadening the lens on cyberspace challenges, and the need to think beyond the major cyber powers and involve the perspectives of smaller countries. All three speakers were clear that more international efforts were necessary to secure cyberspace and that cooperation needed to go beyond buzzwords and become more tangible.

Background

The Ukraine conflict has sparked intense discussion and debate about India's choices and interests, both long- and short-term. Can it maintain partnerships with both Russia and the United States and its allies, in the context of growing competition with China? 

To discuss these and related questions, ORF America and ORF co-hosted their final closed-door, virtual discussion under Chatham House rules on India’s Ties with the West, Russia and China: Balancing Values and Interests. 

The participants lamented that India was not prepared well-enough for heightened geopolitical competition between Russia and the West since 2014. For this had serious implications for India’s defense preparedness and more substantial partnerships with Western countries. The discussants also examined the future scenarios of Russia’s power and position in the international system. Participants agreed that India will need at least a decade to wean itself off Russian military dependence, whether in terms of diversification or indigenization. And while India will have to grapple with a closer Russia-China “no-limits” partnership, it also has greater potential to strengthen ties with the U.S., and other regional powers in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.   

Featuring

• Amb. Rakesh Sood, Distinguished Fellow Observer Research Foundation

• Dr. Nivedita Kapoor, Post-Doctoral Fellow National Research University Higher School of Economics Moscow

• Dr. Rajesh Rajagopalan, Professor Jawaharlal Nehru University

• Nandan Unnikrishnan, Distinguished Fellow Observer Research Foundation

To know more about the Democracy and Indian Foreign Policy series, check out ORF America’s Special Report No. 1 Democracy in Indian Foreign Policy.