ALERT!

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the India-US Future Leaders Forum has been postponed until further notice. New dates will be announced once conditions improve.

CONVENERS

Picture1 - Copy.jpg — overview

The India-US Future Leaders Forum (the “Forum”) is conceptualised as a platform for the exchange of ideas at the level of college/university students from India and the USA.
This Forum aims to nurture people-to-people interactions among the youth of these two great nations, leading to a further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries over the next few decades.

Background

The India-US relationship has for some time been referred to as the “defining partnership of the 21st century.” After all, such is the bond expected between the world’s oldest democracy and its largest one as well as the world’s largest economy and its fastest growing one. Cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic and political arenas. The relationship enjoys strong popular support in both countries.

Location and Dates

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Modelled on a Track II dialogue format, each round of the Forum will have a two day gathering, drawing participation of approximately 20 college/university students; 10 US citizens and another 10 Indian citizens. It is expected that the Forum will facilitate candid and open discussions on themes central to India-US ties while offering the young participants an opportunity to engage with experts on these themes. With this in mind, the Forum will be held under the Chatham House Rule which will also allow officials of the two governments to freely engage with the participants.

THEMatic areas

Group table sarif - square.jpg — beyond the forum

Upon the conclusion of the Forum, participants will feel a sense of ownership over the bilateral relationship, ensuring a stronger bond between the two countries in the future. The overall intent of the Forum is to create a network of future leaders that can carry forward India-US ties for decades to come by encouraging collaboration among the participants beyond the Forum.

A. A joint statement will be issued by the participants at the end of each round of the Forum highlighting the discussions held and the recommendations, from the perspective of these future leaders, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. These will be submitted to the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. and to the Embassy of the United States of America, New Delhi, for their consideration.

B. During the concluding session of each round of the Forum, participants will determine how best they can share their learnings from the Forum within their respective spheres of influence. This should, ideally, lead to further localised activities at their respective institutions in the form of cultural events and/or seminars on themes discussed during the Forum as well as the effective use of online platforms for dissemination of ideas. For this purpose, the participants from each round of the Forum will draw up a list of activities that they can commit to undertake individually as well as collectively.

C. Additionally, participants will be asked to submit essays on topics raised during the Forum, wherein they further expand on the ideas discussed and learning gained. These essays can then be compiled, edited and published in the form of an e-book focusing on the future of ties between India and the US. Such a publication will without doubt be useful as a relevant public diplomacy instrument and can be released by the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. and the Embassy of the United States of America, New Delhi.

India-US Table Flags - Square.jpg — selection process

selection process (first round) - Washington, d.c.

Stage I:

For Stage I, applicants will submit preliminary information by filling up an online form on the ISS website, along with a fifty-word statement, describing why they wish to participate in the Forum. Applicants who clear Stage I will be informed if they have qualified for Stage II within three working days after their Stage I applications have been received.

Stage II:

For Stage II, applicants will be asked to submit a Statement of Purpose, where they describe issues they are passionate about or areas they would like to drive changes in; connecting their ideas and thoughts under the umbrella of at least one of the Forum’s themes while keeping mind the future of Indo-US ties. They will also be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from their current institution/organisation. Applicants will be given two weeks to submit the Statement of Purpose and Letter of Recommendation along with a scan of their passport.

Stage III:

For Stage III, applicants will meet an interview panel for a thirty-minute interaction over Skype. The interview panel shall comprise of up to three members with representatives from both sides.

Selection Process (Second Round) - New Delhi

For the second round of the Forum in Delhi, since the ISS will in any case be in session at the time, from among the Indian and American students participating in the ISS program, ten from each country will be selected. The participants selection processes for both rounds will be managed by the ISS as they conduct a similar selection process for their own summer program.

Note 1: Participants must arrange for their own accommodation in and travel to/from Washington, D.C. for the first round of the Forum.

Note 2: For each round of the Forum, twenty (20) college/university students—ten (10) Indian and ten (10) US citizens—in the age group of 18-35 years who are enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program at an institution of higher learning will be selected. It may be noted that Overseas Citizens of India who hold a US passport shall be considered as US citizens.