The South Asia Roundtable series addresses U.S. policy in the region, key domestic economic and political shifts in India and Pakistan, as well as the prospects for peace between the two countries. Initiated in June 2002, the series took as its starting point the heightened U.S. interest in both India and Pakistan – for different reasons. From sanctioned states, both have become policy priorities in the post 9/11 world.

The Roundtable draws on a range of speakers – government officials, scholars, development aid practitioners, and analysts from the United States and the region to help inform U.S. foreign policy debates about South Asia. Invitees are primarily Council members as well as a few regional experts. To date, fifteen roundtables have been convened; and, in 2005 attendance averaged over 40 persons per session with some sessions attended by close to 50 persons. Member interest in the region has grown substantially. The roundtables are the only such in-depth, regular forum in New York City.

The 2005 South Asia Roundtable series has focused more closely on Pakistan as its changing political, economic and security circumstances are having significant repercussions not only inside the country but also in the broader global community. Pakistan continues to present one of the most complex policy challenges for the U. S. administration. In addition, the Indo-Pakistan peace process and India’s domestic and foreign policy under the new Congress government have received attention.

Specific 2005 roundtable topics have included the state of aid and development in Pakistan where security remains the biggest concern for international donors; challenges posed by Pakistan’s nuclear program and the A.Q. Khan network in the context of the non-proliferation regime; and, the problematic relationship of the army and religious parties in Pakistan. The roundtables also have explored U.S. interest in helping India attain major power status; new directions in Indian foreign policies towards Pakistan and China; and China’s emerging regional and global role as it relates to India, Pakistan, and U.S. foreign policy in Asia.

The South Asia Roundtable series is made possible through a grant from Ford Foundation.