On July 16, USISPF hosted a virtual roundtable with Ambassador Nicholas Burns, senior counselor at the Cohen Group and former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Speaking with members of USISPF’s Board of Directors, Ambassador Burns shared his insights on the shifts in the U.S.’s foreign policy frameworks, the role of global institutions in the post-COVID world, and the importance of deepening U.S.-India relations.
Speaking with USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi, Ambassador Burns outlined the challenges faced by the U.S. and India as a result of the ongoing pandemic, global economic crisis, and the actions of an increasingly aggressive China. He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-India relationship to addressing these challenges, both in a bilateral and multilateral context.
During a period of discussion with USISPF’s Board of Directors and other participants, discussion focused on U.S.-India relations in the context of broader regional dynamics and opportunities for defense and economic cooperation with Japan and Australia through the ‘Quad’ framework.
Ambassador Burns also assessed the impact of turning points in the bilateral relationship, such as the Civil Nuclear Deal and 2017 declaration of strategic defense partner status.