Partners in Progress Symposium Highlights US-India, Indo-Pacific Defense Ties

BENGALURU: The Assistant Chief of the Indian Naval staff Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, Senior Defense Official and U S Defense Attaché Rear Admiral Michael Baker, and Christ University Vice Chancellor Rev Dr Jose CC inaugurated the “Partners in Progress” symposium jointly organized by Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and Christ University, Bengaluru, with support from the U.S. Consulate General Chennai on Monday, June 10 in Bengaluru. East West Center Vice President Dr Satu Limaye and the Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun Singh offered U.S. and Indian perspectives at the symposium’s plenary session.

During the inaugural keynote symposium address, Indian Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna said: “At these troubled times when the world is going through struggles and contestations, U.S. and India have emerged as likeminded and trusted partners. The 75 years partnership has today become a comprehensive global strategic partnership. There is convergence between the two countries in their shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Information sharing and maritime domain awareness is a priority area of cooperation for both the countries. Looking ahead, the partnership is set to deepen further. Both nations are likely to enhance collaboration in emerging domains like cybersecurity, space, underwater, and artificial intelligence. The evolving security dynamics underscores the importance of a strong Indo-U S naval partnership, which is a testimony to the strength of Indo-U.S. strategic relationship.”

(L-R) Dr N Manoharan, Professor & Director, Centre for East Asian Studies, Christ University, Christ University Vice Chancellor Rev Dr Jose CC, U.S. Defense Attache to India Rear Admiral Michael Baker, and Deepa Ollapally, Professor of International Affairs and Director of the Rising Powers Initiative at Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University at the inauguration of the “Partners in Progress” symposium, held at Christ University in Bengaluru, Monday June 10, 2024. The symposium was jointly organized by Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and Christ University, Bengaluru with support from the U.S. Consulate General Chennai.

U S Rear Admiral Michael Baker in his opening remarks to over 50 subject-matter experts said, “The U S-India Major Defense Partnership has become a pillar of global peace and security. Our countries are making substantial progress through joint exercises, the reinforcement of defense industrial cooperation, the annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, and other consultative mechanisms. These efforts contribute to progressing forward an advanced and comprehensive defense partnership, ensuring close coordination between our militaries across all domains. Both countries are vital partners in efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity and economic inclusion.”

The Partners in Progress symposium focuses on thematic areas such as the U.S.-India strategic landscape and its impact, defense and security dialogues, defense technology trade and production, and military interoperability. Symposium participants included 50 U.S. and Indian opinion leaders and strategic analysts with expertise on geopolitics and international relations.