Round Table Discussion with An American Delegation

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The Vivekananda International Foundation held a Round Table meeting with a U.S. delegation led by Dr. Peter R. Lavoy, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs of the U.S Administration on May 18, 2012. Mr. Frank J. Ruggiero, Senior Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan was a member of the delegation who participated in the deliberations. The interactive dialogue focused on the future of the Af-Pak region and the prospective role that India and U.S. could engage in this part of South Asia.

The U.S withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 has drawn the attention worldwide to the challenges that would continue to exist in term of governance and in regional diplomacy for peace and stability to prevail. There was a wide degree of convergence in Indian and American view points on the need for ensuring a stable Afghanistan. There was an intensive question answer session where it was felt that the US and Indian think tanks need to have more substantial exchanges to understand each other in the emerging strategic environment.

Report prepared by Nidhi Bhatnagar