US Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Andrew J. Shapiro visited VIF on February 11, 2011 for an interaction with senior members of the Foundation. A range of issues, including the strategic dimension of the India-US bilateral relations, defence trade between the two countries, relations between the two militaries and the regional and global strategic perceptions of the two great democracies, were discussed in a free and frank manner during the interaction.

A delegation from Japan Institute for National Fundamentals interacted with VIF on 16 December 2010. The delegation comprised Vice President Dr Tadae Takubo, Mr Katsuhiko Takaike, Mr Yoshito Ogura, Mr Yoichi Shimada, Mr Yujiro Oiwa, Mr Hironobu Ishikawa and Mr Yasuhi Tomiyama. The discussion was open sans any hesitation. Both the sides acknowledged various issues of common concern including assertive China. There was also a convergence of thoughts on the imperative of co-operation in economic and security spheres for common benefit.

Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, the British Secretary of State for Defence, delivered a talk on ‘UK Strategic Defence and Security Review’ at VIF on 22 November 2010. Mr Ajit Doval, Director of VIF welcomed the gathering. Dr Fox began with a statement that the United Kingdom was committed to an enhanced partnership with India that recognised India’s position as a central player in contemporary world affairs. The partnership was based on over-lapping self-interest in trade and security.

VIF held an interaction on 12 November 2010 with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers from Taiwan led by Mr. Wen Hua Tzen and accompanied by Taiwan’s Representative in India Mr. Wenchyi Ong. Ambassador Satish Chandra, former Deputy National Security Advisor welcomed the delegation. Ambassador Chandra thanked Mr. Ong in particular, for having brought such a high level delegation, consisting of scholars from varied backgrounds. He also thanked Mr. Ong for having facilitated one of VIF researchers, Mr. Anirban Ganguly’s visit to Taiwan.