KOCHI: A two-day conference on ‘U.S. Rebalance and the Asia Pacific Region’ hosted by the U.S. Consulate General Chennai in association with the Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR) opened in Kochi today with U.S. Consul General Phillip Min delivering remarks at the inauguration. Former National Security Advisor and former West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayan presented the keynote address.
Consul General Min’s remarks focused on the United States’ and India’s shared interests in the Asia Pacific region and the potential for economic growth and integration. “India’s Act East policy and our rebalance to Asia are complementary approaches based on our shared democratic values and respect for the stability and prosperity that the rules-based international system has brought to the world. And as the United States implements our rebalance, we see India as a fundamental provider of economic growth and security across the region.”
On the first day of the conference, U.S. and Indian regional experts examined changing trade and commerce patterns in Asia, and the United States and India’s roles in increasing trade and investment opportunities, propelling economic growth. U.S. speakers Murray Hiebert, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Ingrid Henick are joining conference discussions.
President Obama and Prime Minister Modi looked to our shared interests in the region in the “U.S.-India Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region” and committed to encouraging free trade and greater people-to-people linkages to support regional economic integration. India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and the United States’ rebalance to Asia provide opportunities for India, the United States, and other Asia-Pacific countries to work closely to strengthen regional ties. The U.S. Consulate General Chennai is focused on the shared effort to realize our joint goals and hosted the conference in association with Center for Public Policy Research.
At the inauguration, CPPR released the proceedings of the December 2014 energy security conference supported by U.S. Consulate General Chennai, “Energy Security Challenges-Non-Traditional Security Planning in India.”
