With the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, the threat of global terrorism, and challenges associated with a rising China, South Asia is now more than ever a national security and diplomatic priority for the United States.

Closer US engagement with India is key to addressing the complex challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.  To provide momentum for this burgeoning bilateral relationship, Sunnylands hosted the US-India Strategic Dialogue from October 19 – 21, 2017 in St. Michaels, Maryland. This retreat convened a small group of high-level national security policymakers and experts from the United States and India to discuss pressing strategic issues.

Over the course of two days, participants discussed several important topics in the bilateral security relationship, including ways to deepen the strategic relationship, strengthen defense cooperation, ease defense acquisition, expand defense industrial cooperation, and improve defense engagement. By fostering a candid exchange of ideas, Sunnylands helped develop an agenda to inform upcoming meetings between the senior defense and diplomatic leadership of both nations.