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Background and context :
The Indo-Pacific region is a critical hub for global politics, economics, and security, central to the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy. This strategy promotes a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, allowing all nations to thrive independently. It emphasizes free trade, good governance, and freedom of navigation to enhance regional stability and cooperation.
As part of the “Indo-Pacific Think Tank Conference,” supported by the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi, the Pacific Forum, CUTS International, and The India Foundation will jointly organize this initiative. The project aims to strengthen India's engagement as a regional leader with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific. This initiative will culminate in the "Indo-Pacific Think Tank Conference," a three-day residency program in India. The conference will bring together 15 distinguished think tankers from the United States, Japan, Australia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, alongside 15 esteemed counterparts from India.
The conference aims to produce at least 15 co-authored papers and articles on regional cooperation and best practices across various pillars of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, along with five virtual workshops focused on these five pillars. There will be a final three-day residential conference in India which will bring the think tankers all across the globe together.
Need for the Project
The Indo-Pacific region is a dynamic and complex landscape, marked by rapid economic growth, strategic geopolitical shifts, and diverse socio-political systems. As a region of immense strategic importance, it faces numerous challenges and opportunities that require a concerted and collaborative approach to address effectively.
At the heart of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy is a commitment to creating a region that is free, open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. Achieving this vision isn't just about policies and protocols; it’s about people, dialogue, and shared values. It requires a continuous exchange of ideas, fostering partnerships, and crafting strategies that resonate across borders.
The "Indo-Pacific Think Tank Conference" is a critical initiative that addresses these needs. By bringing together 30 distinguished experts from the United States, Japan, Australia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and India, this three-day residency program aims to spark meaningful conversations and collaborative research. These thought leaders, with their wealth of experience in foreign policy, international relations, geopolitics, and regional security, will engage in deep discussions and collective problem-solving.
This project is designed not just to generate knowledge but to drive impact. Through co-authored papers and articles, participants will contribute insights and recommendations that can shape policy and promote best practices across the Indo-Pacific. These scholarly works will be published in leading journals and media outlets, ensuring that the ideas and solutions reach policymakers and stakeholders who can effect change.
Moreover, this initiative underscores India's growing role as a key player in the Indo-Pacific. By hosting the conference and fostering these international collaborations, India will strengthen its leadership and engagement with like-minded partners, promoting a vision of regional stability and shared prosperity.
Objectives and Outcomes
Objective
- Encourage a meaningful and constructive shift in how the 15 participating EOL think tankers view and relate to the United States, nurturing mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration.
- Provide a platform for think tankers to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and network with peers across the Indo-Pacific, fostering a community of practice around regional cooperation and strategic issues
- Strengthen India’s role as a leader in the Indo-Pacific by hosting this significant international conference and facilitating productive dialogues and collaborations among like-minded partners.
- Contribute to the overarching goals of a free, open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific through informed dialogue and collaborative research.
- Strengthened collaboration and understanding among think tankers from participating Indo-Pacific countries, fostering a unified approach to regional challenges and building lasting partnerships.
- Empowering think tankers to make data-driven decisions and develop policies based on the insights and best practices discussed during the conference, leading to more effective and informed governance.
- Positioning India as a leader in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing its engagement and partnerships with other countries, and showcasing its ability to host and facilitate impactful international discussions.
- Creating a robust network of think tankers who share knowledge, collaborate on future projects, and strengthen regional ties, fostering a vibrant community of practice in the Indo-Pacific.
- Contributing to the goals of a free, open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific, supporting sustainable development and regional security through informed dialogue and collaborative research.
Activities
The following activities will be conducted during the project:
a)
Conduct a series of informative webinars focused on key pillars of the Indo-Pacific strategy, providing a platform for experts to share their insights and engage with a broader audience on topics crucial to regional cooperation and security.
b)
Produce and disseminate in-depth briefing and research papers that address various aspects of the Indo-Pacific strategy. These publications will provide well-researched information and analysis to stakeholders, contributing to informed decision-making and policy development.
c)
Facilitate the creation of co-authored media articles by think tankers and experts from participating countries. These articles will offer diverse perspectives on regional issues and best practices, aiming to inform the public and influence policy discourse through prominent media outlets.
d)
Organise a comprehensive three-day residency workshop conference in India, bringing together 15 EOL think tankers from the United States, Japan, Australia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia with 15 Indian counterparts. This conference will facilitate deep discussions, collaboration, and the co-authoring of research papers on regional cooperation under the Indo-Pacific strategy.
Objectives and Outcomes
This project ultimately aims to
create a group of informed stakeholders (journalists from India in
particular), who would strengthen the information sharing circuit related to
the importance of a robust U.S.–India Defense partnership, particularly in
the Indo-Pacific region. Wide dissemination of the highlights and future
prospects of this defense partnership, through mass media, will help create
a positive narrative amongst the general public on this subject.
In this regard, two key expected
outcomes from the project are as follows: A) Training and awareness
generation, B) Information generation and dissemination- on U.S.–India
Defense partnership.
Outputs
Coming soon......
Events
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Coming soon.......
Media
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Coming soon.......