Dr. Derek Chollet, Principal Deputy Director of the US Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff, visited Observer Research Foundation for an interaction with ORF faculty.
Dr. Derek Chollet, Principal Deputy Director of the US Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, visited Observer Research Foundation for an interaction with ORF faculty. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador M Rasgotra, President,ORF Centre for International Relations.
Dr. Chollet was in New Delhi as part of the larger high-ranking US delegation, led by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns, that marked the first meetings between the Obama Administration and Indian officials following India’s May 16 parliamentary elections.
The message that emerged from the interaction was that the Obama Administration was committed to maintain the pace of the Indo-US relationship "had come a long way together” during the Presidency of George W Bush. Explaining the policy of the Obama Administration, Dr. Chollet said “India is a major foreign policy priority for the United States" and a "crucial global partner in the 21st century”.
Key areas of engagement between the United States and India will be nuclear issues and the non-proliferation dialogue, climate change, increased defence and trade ties. Afghanistan is another area where the US and India could do more together due to common threats and perceptions. While keeping in mind India’s sensitivities, the Obama administration would like to encourage India and Pakistan to resume peace talks, including attempts to resolve their dispute over the Kashmir region. Mr. Rasgotra and other faculty of the ORF gave some suggestions on how to take forward the Indo-US relationship.
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