Inaugural Indian Ocean Dialogue between U.S., India to be held today
- Deepening the ongoing cooperation over the Indian Ocean Region, India and the U.S. are set to hold the inaugural U.S.-India Indian Ocean Dialogue.
Highlights:
- India and the U.S. will hold the inaugural U.S.-India Indian Ocean Dialogue on November 14, 2024.
- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer will join virtually due to flight issues.
Focus Areas of Discussion
- Security and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific:
- Discussions will aim to strengthen measures to ensure regional security and economic growth across the Indo-Pacific.
- Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET):
- The iCET Intersessional Meeting will explore enhanced cooperation in technology innovation and production.
Backdrop and Significance
- Historical Context:
- U.S.-India cooperation in the Indo-Pacific dates back to January 2015, when both nations released the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region during President Obama’s visit to India.
- Current Political Landscape
- The dialogue takes place shortly after the U.S. Presidential elections, where former President Donald Trump secured a decisive victory.
- It highlights the continuity of strong bilateral ties, irrespective of political transitions.
Regional and Multilateral Cooperation:
- The Quad alliance (India, U.S., Australia, and Japan) plays a pivotal role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Quad’s Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative aims to enhance maritime security and cooperation as a global good.
- U.S. lawmakers are working on legislation to formalize a cohesive strategy for the Indian Ocean.
Leadership in High-Tech Collaboration:
- The iCET initiative, crucial for advancing high-tech partnerships, is spearheaded by Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Adviser, and Jake Sullivan, his U.S. counterpart.
Prelims Takeaways
- U.S.-India Indian Ocean Dialogue
- Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)