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The VIF hosted a special web-based interaction session with H.E. Mr. Kenneth Juster, Ambassador of U.S. to India on May 28, 2020. Amb. Juster spoke about the evolving geopolitical scenario in a post-Pandemic world, and the crucial position that U.S.-India strategic partnership occupies in it. A select group of attendees comprising of veteran diplomats and bureaucrats engaged in discussion and deliberations over the future trajectory of India-US partnership.

Tracing the developments since POTUS Trump’s visit to India in February this year, the progress in relations in the sphere of security and military cooperation was highlighted in the discussion. India’s leading role in the worldwide fight against COVID-19 shown by exporting essential pharmaceutical supplies, and enhanced collaboration for vaccine development was lauded.

Further, the interaction focussed on the need for building the architecture for a free-and-open Indo-pacific region, especially to counter the threat from an increasingly aggressive China. A model based on modified globalization was proposed based on mutual dependence, complementarity and purposeful convergence between trusted partners. Enhancing economic collaboration between India and the U.S. was reiterated as a crucial objective in the years to come, and a potential free trade agreement, along with more immediate steps like ramping up coproduction of defence equipment, were also discussed.