O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) held the inaugural seminar of the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies (MJIAS) in New Delhi on August 30. The title of the seminar was ‘Resetting the US-India Ties Through Dialogue & Diplomacy.’
The seminar was held to commemorate the launch of MJIAS as a credible, non-partisan platform for Indo-US policy dialogue. It brought together parliamentarians, diplomats, business leaders, and academics to deliberate on strengthening Indo-US relations through dialogue and diplomacy.
The inaugural address was delivered by Professor (Dr) C. Raja Mohan, foreign policy and Senior Fellow Designate, MJIAS, who said in his address, “Given the difficult period that India and the US are going through, it is important to have an institute like MJIAS. Its contribution will really be long-term, to scale this relationship and give it intellectual ballast. It is very clear India has not invested enough intellectual capital in understanding the complex politics. We need a deeper appreciation of the long history of the United States, of its persistent political current, and its cultural modes. Originally, American populism was against the concentration of wealth, and bouts of anti-dominant capitalist sentiment have always been a part of history. To understand what's going on in the US today, we need to dig deeper into its history and its culture."
Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, President, MJIAS and Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU, said in his Welcome Address: "We are hosting this seminar at a very important time when there are significant challenges in US-India relations. It is important to go beyond the current scenario. For many of us who have had the opportunity to interact with the United States, it is significant to note that no country in the world is closer to India in terms of our shared beliefs, our shared values, our deep commitment to the rule of law, commitment to democratic institutions, and our belief and faith in the possibility of individuals who, through their hard work and determination, can shape the future of themselves and the destiny of our nations. The India-US relationship is not only one of the most defining relationships of the future, but also an opportunity to essentially shape the future of humankind…. The establishment of MJIAS is an attempt to develop a greater understanding of India in the United States, the complexity of this relationship, and to work towards a better future for India and the United States."
The Special Address and Keynote Address were delivered by Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and His Excellency Jorgan K. Andrews, Charge d'Affaires, Senior Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State, respectively. Both congratulated JGU for establishing MJIAS and underlined the important role it could play in promoting and advancing India-US ties. They lauded JGU for its vision in creating a pioneering institution dedicated to American Studies in India, emphasising that such initiatives enrich academic discourse while also strengthening bilateral understanding. They also highlighted how the establishment of the Institute is a testament to the power of philanthropy, commending Asha Jadeja Motwani for her remarkable contribution that will leave a lasting legacy.
Professor (Dr) Mohan Kumar, Director General, MJIAS, said in his Introductory Remarks that there could not be a better time for a discussion on the India-US relationship by MJIAS. "This is not the first time that the India-US relationship is going through a difficult phase. Such a dialogue is essential to keep the relationship going, which cannot be seen through the prism of a few months or just through trade and tariffs."
The inaugural session included the following panel discussions:
* Legislative Bridges & Policy Dialogue in India-US Relations, moderated by Professor (Dr) Sreeram S. Chaulia, Dean, Jindal School of International Affairs, JGU
* Commerce Without Conflict -- Perspectives from Business, Trade & Investment Leaders, moderated by Professor Ram B. Ramachandran, Associate Director, MJIAS & Vice Dean, Jindal School of Banking & Finance, JGU
* Strategic Symbiosis -- Academic and Diplomatic Pathways to Bilateral Harmony, moderated by Professor (Dr) Sriparna Pathak, Associate Director, MJIAS & Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs, JGU.
Distinguished participants included: Mr. Sujeet Kumar, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Dr Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Mr. Kartikeya Sharma, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Ambassador Meera Shankar, Former Indian Ambassador to the United States; Sharmila Kantha, Principal Consultant, Confederation of Indian Industry; Shishir Priyadarshi, President, Chintan Research Foundation; Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma, Chairperson, Research and Information System for Developing Countries; Raman Kalra, Vice President, IBM Consulting; Ambassador Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, Former Indian Ambassador to the United States; Ambassador Mr. Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House; Ambassador Gaitri Issar Kumar, Former Indian Diplomat; Professor (Dr) Harsh Pant, Vice President – Studies and Foreign Policy, Observer Research Foundation and Professor (Dr) Rajat Kathuria, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University.
JGU has been the recipient of a landmark endowment of US$5 million from Asha Jadeja Motwani and the Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation. This gift is one of the largest philanthropic contributions to JGU and among the most significant investments in American Studies in India. The Institute is named in honour of the late Professor Rajeev Motwani, a legendary Stanford University computer scientist, whose mentorship helped shape the journeys of the founders of Google and countless other innovators.