From January 30th to February 7th, 2007, AFPC experts and associates took part in a high-level fact-finding mission to India. The six-member delegation, headed by former Pennsylvania governor and Homeland Security Secretary Thomas J. Ridge, included Pentagon Defense Science Board Chairman William Schneider, AFPC President Herman Pirchner, Jr., AFPC Vice President for Policy Ilan Berman, AFPC Senior Fellow in Asia Studies Stephen Yates, and Moffat & Company president Nathaniel Moffat.
During the nine day visit, the delegation held consultations in New Delhi with top officials from India’s national security establishment, including a private meeting with National Security Advisor MK Narayanan. Delegation members also had the opportunity to meet with officials from India’s National Security Advisory Board, National Intelligence Council and Ministry of External Affairs. Topics discussed included growing bilateral strategic ties, the pending bilateral “1,2,3” nuclear agreement recently approved by the U.S. Congress, Indian perspectives on the rise of China, and the looming nuclear crisis with Iran.
The delegation also met extensively with KPS Gill, the country’s most prominent law enforcement and counterterrorism expert. Additionally, the group took a day trip to India’s western Gujarat state, where it was provided a comprehensive briefing on local counterterrorism efforts by the regional chief of police and other law enforcement officials. While there, members also had the opportunity to meet with Gujarat governor Narendra Mohdi.
The visit provided participants with a valuable glimpse into the evolving nature of the relationship between India and the United States.