In 2001, the Aspen Strategy Group conceived of a major Track II effort to take what was then a fledgling strategic relationship between the world’s oldest and largest democracies to the next level. With an inaugural trip to India in January 2002, the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue was born. The dialogue has been instrumental in changing policy and perceptions.
The work of the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue comprises bi-annual, reciprocal government visits and joint roundtable meetings in Washington and New Delhi. For each session, fifteen to twenty delegation members from each country take part. Delegation members have past senior-level policy-making experience and hold high ranking positions in NGOs, academia, industry, and the media. Members of Congress and Indian Members of Parliament are also invited to join the delegations.
The Aspen Strategy Group convenes the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue in conjunction with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ananta Aspen Centre. CII, which is based in New Delhi, offers expertise in strategic policy issues and has a track record of partnership with India’s policy makers as well as its membership of successful large and medium Indian companies.
