Ishani Chettri

Filtering by: Ishani Chettri
Raisina Tokyo 2025
May
22
to May 23
Foreign Policy & Security, Economic Development, Technology Policy

Raisina Tokyo 2025

Event Summary

The second edition of Raisina Tokyo was held on May 22 and 23, 2025. The event was jointly hosted by ORF America, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives).

Raisina Tokyo 2025 brought together 230 high-level participants from 15 countries. The conference focused on advancing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific".

The inaugural dinner on May 22nd featured a keynote speech from former Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, as well as addresses from Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masaki Ogushi, and India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri. The dinner program also featured a video address from Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takeshi Iwaya.

Ambassadors and representatives from the Quad countries — Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan; Justin Hayhurst, Australia’s Ambassador to Japan; and Joseph M. Young, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo — also delivered remarks. The Quad Addresses can be viewed here.

The second day of the conference opened with remarks by Secretary-General of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, Hiroshi Moriyama, followed by a session on geoeconomics in the Indo-Pacific featuring Tony Abbott, Former Prime Minister of Australia; Tadashi Maeda, Chairman of the Board of JBIC; Takeshi Niinami, Chairperson of Keizai Doyukai and Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Suntory Holdings Ltd; and moderated by Samir Saran, President of ORF.

Other sessions held under the Chatham House Rule included:

  • Deep Tech Diplomacy: Dual-Use Technologies for Strategic Partnerships

  • Waste to Wealth: Profiting from Sustainability in the Indo-Pacific

  • Beyond Capitals: Subnational Opportunities for Growth

  • Weathering the Storm: Innovating and Adapting for Food and Water Security

  • The Trillion-Dollar Transition: Bridging the Energy Finance Gap

  • Emerging Arsenals: Improving Defense Technology and Production

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Young Professionals Event: Critical Minerals
May
1
5:30 PM17:30
Energy & Climate, Technology Policy

Young Professionals Event: Critical Minerals

On May 1, ORF America hosted policy experts for a discussion on critical minerals, whose expansive applications in defense, tech, and energy, impact national security and present some very pressing geopolitical questions. The conversation included insights on the U.S. Critical Minerals strategy, mineral processing streams, mineral categorization, and dual use minerals. 

This was the 13th 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: 

  • Leilani Gonzalez, Chief of Staff and Policy Director, Zero Emissions Transportation Association

  • John Jacobs, Senior Policy Analyst (Energy), Bipartisan Policy Center

  • Mahnaz Khan, Vice President of Policy, Critical Mineral Supply Chains, Silverado Policy Accelerator and Nonresident Senior Fellow GeoTech Center, Atlantic Council 

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

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A Discussion with George Washington University Students
Apr
8
2:00 PM14:00

A Discussion with George Washington University Students

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

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Young Professionals Event: International Space Policy
Mar
13
5:15 PM17:15
Foreign Policy & Security

Young Professionals Event: International Space Policy

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

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Observer Research Foundation America, 1100 17th St. NW, Suite 501, Washington DC 20036 USA