Need to Reorganize 28 Dialogues Between India, U.S.: Think Tank

WASHINGTON: With the new Narendra Modi-led government starting its functioning, a top American think-tank called for re-organizing of the 28 different dialogues that currently exist between India and the U.S.

“There has been a great deal of frustration, both inside and outside of government, with the effectiveness of these platforms. Many wonder if they are worth the effort to organize,” Richard M Rossow, the Wadhwani Chair on U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said.

The United States and India have 28 dialogues, including two trilateral dialogues involving Japan and Afghanistan, respectively. These dialogues, most of which were initiated during the 10-year rule of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance coalition, cover an incredibly wide range of activities, from agriculture to technology trade.

As the new Indian government starts its functioning, Rossow called for a more focused approach by reorganizing these dialogues.

Prominent among them include Strategic Dialogue, Energy Dialogue, CEO Forum, Commercial Dialogue, Trade Policy Forum, Information & Communications Technology Working Group, Higher Education Dialogue, Cyber Security Consultations, Strategic Cyber Policy Dialogue, Home Security Dialogue, Strategic Security Dialogue, Women’s Empowerment Dialogue, Economic & Financial Partnership, Aviation Summit and Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation.