As a fervent supporter of the US-India defence partnership, I was considering the path that the two (oldest and largest democracies) will take in the twenty-first century as I strolled around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during the cherry blossom season. This time of year marks a new cycle of vitality and vibrancy.
To this end, on March 13 in Washington, DC, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and my organisation, CUTS International, a global public policy research and advocacy group, organised a round-table discussion on the “Future of US-India Defence Partnership.” This helped to create a better understanding of what to expect in the short-to-long term and how to stress how important it is to develop a resilient defence industrial base in order to secure the status quo in international politics.
I learned about the significant shift that is occurring and the areas that will be in the front row of this most consequential partnership of this era by listening to the esteemed experts representing industry giants like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Mahindra, and Tata, as well as representations from academia, government officials from the Department of State and Department of Defence, and established think-tankers among other US-India watchers.
The speakers emphasised the importance of the COVID-19 pandemic for technological cooperation, especially in the areas of cyber connectivity and maritime domain. They also highlighted the US National Defence Industrial Strategy, highlighting issues such as the scarcity of skilled labour in the STEM fields in the US, which could be addressed by India’s skilled labour force.
Subsequent bilateral discussions may also delve into the possibilities in unexplored areas of cooperation with the goal of promoting cooperative technological endeavours within the Quad framework and highlighting the synergies between the maritime and underwater domains. A bigger portion of this pie will go to the human bridge and the diaspora.
During the event’s conclusion, I stated that we are still dedicated to promoting these kinds of deep conversations that help to build bilateral ties, mutual understanding, and international collaboration—particularly to fortify the Indo-Pacific region.
This pitstop event was an initiative marking CUTS International’s 40th anniversary aimed at fortifying the bilateral strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific realm and the 10th event in this series happening around the world.
About CUTS International
CUTS International was founded in 1983 and is based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Its mission is to promote consumer sovereignty, economic equality, and environmental balance through research and advocacy in public policy worldwide. With six overseas centres, its mission transcends national boundaries, seeking to impact trade, regulatory, and strategic affairs policies, including defence and sustainable development.
The CUTS WDC Centre opened its doors in 2018. Trade and strategic issues, such as energy, defence, and technology and innovation, are the main areas of focus. This centre seeks to influence the strategic and economic ties between the US and India within the larger Indo-Pacific region. The Centre actively collaborates with international trade organisations and institutions worldwide, as well as with all parties involved in the Indo-Pacific region and the rekindled quadrilateral. The Centre is in a good position to facilitate conversations on strategic and economic issues that affect the partner organisations and nations.
