(14 to 24 November 2024)
A delegation of US thinktank scholars visited India for a study tour as a part of ‘Conservatives’ Collective’ initiative of India Foundation. The delegation was led by Dr.Walter Russell Mead. Dr. Mead is adistinguished fellow at Hudson Institute anda columnist with Wall Street Journal. The delegation comprised Mr. Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Washington DC; Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI); Mr. Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Dispatch; Ms. Rebeccah L. Heinrichs, senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defence Initiative; Mr. Bill Drexel,fellow for the Technology and National Security Program at the Centre for New American Security (CNAS); Mr. Tanner Greer, non-resident fellow with the FPRI Asia Program as well as Director of the Center for Strategic Translation, Washington DC; Mr. James Diddams, Managing Editor of Providence; Mr. Andrew Wilson, research associate with Hudson Institute; James Kirchick, writer at Air Mail and Mr. Charles Yockey, policy analyst within the Manhattan Institute’s Centers for Legal Affairs and Constitutional Studies, New York.
As part of the study tour, the delegation visited honourable vice-president, union ministers, chief minister, defence and security experts, thinktank scholars and university professors. They also participated in many events and cultural programs. They visited not only different locations in Delhi but also travelled toTawang, Guwahati and Bengaluru. Below is a summary of the study tour organised by India Foundation.
Day 1: On 14 November 2024,the delegation led by Dr. Walter Russell Mead arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. In the evening, a dinner interaction was hosted with Shri Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament and former union minister, marking the commencement of the visit.
Day 2: On November 15, 2024,the day began with the delegation traveling to the India Foundation office for the Conservatives’ Collective Dialogue with a group of Indian scholars.The discussion featured an exchange of perspectives from both Indian and American viewpoints, making it highly productive and insightful.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Hon’ble Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar for a courtesy meeting along with India Foundation president Dr. Ram Madhav and Distinguished Fellow Dr. Swapan Dasgupta where the delegation had anengaging interaction with the Hon’ble Vice President. After this, the delegation visited the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers’ Museum) where they got to know about the life and legacy of different Prime Ministers of India. They showed keen interest in the gallery of current Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The evening concluded with a dinner interaction hosted by Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh where Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao and other prominent people from Arunachal Pradesh also participated.
Day 3: On November 16, 2024, the day started with a breakfast interaction with Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, at the Taj Palace.
Subsequently, the delegation visited the India Foundation office to have an important discussion with Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, Ma. Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). The session was moderated by Dr Ram Madhav, president, India Foundation. After the lunch, the delegation had a tour to theParliament of India where they specially visited the Shilp Deergha(gallery) and the new building of the Parliament. The day concluded with dinner at Sanadige, Malcha Marg, with a select group of intellectuals.
Day 4: On November 17, 2024,the delegation visited the Akshardham Temple in the morning and later participated in a luncheon interaction withLt. Gen. S.L. Narasimhan, former DG, CCS, on the topic “India-China Border Issues” at the India Habitat Centre. The evening featured a dinner interaction hosted by Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puriat his residence.
Day 5: On November 18, 2024,the delegation departed from New Delhi early morning and travelled to Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Upon arrival, the delegation visited the Tawang Monastery and later in the evening they explored the local Market. The day ended with a cultural evening &dinner hosted by the Deputy Commissioner, Tawang.
Day 6: On November 19, 2024,the delegation visited the Bumla Border Post in the morning, followed by lunch at the scenic Shungatser lake. After returning to Tawang the delegation visited Tawang War Memorial andconcluded the day by visiting Ralengnao ‘Bob’ Khathing Museum of Valour, Tawang.
Day 7: On November 20, 2024, the delegation travelled from Tawang to Kaziranga National Park, Assam. Later in the evening, the delegates joined a cultural program and dinner at the Police Mess.
Day 8: On November 21, 2024, the day began with an early morning visit to Kaziranga National Park for an elephant and jeep safari. Afterward, the delegation departed for Bengaluru.
Day 8-9: On November 22-23, 2024, the delegation reached Bengaluru and participated in the 8th India Ideas Conclave where Dr. Mead and other delegates shared the dais as panelists in different sessions.
Day 10: 24 November, 2024, the delegation departed for USA in the evening from Bengaluru.
