Introduction
For all the ways that the US-India partnership is expanding, there remains an area where there is still plenty of space for growth: The training of young Americans to acquire expertise on India and the surrounding South Asian subregion.
Pacific Forum has done its part to engage Indian officials, thought leaders, and next-generation analysts through our programs, but in 2026, we chose to address the gap on the US side by launching The Seminar on Contemporary India. Taking a select number of young and emerging analysts, the seminar gave them access to reading materials by contemporary Indians political scientists, historians, and officials, gave them opportunities to lead class discussion, and allowed them to work with us in the process of drafting, revising, and publishing analysis on contemporary topics of their choice.
The writings here—covering topics ranging from energy to education to space, nuclear, and conservation issues—represent the outcome of that initiative. These six emerging analysts will carry with them that experience across what we are confident will be lengthy and productive careers in the field of international relations.
We are grateful for the support of the Hindu American Foundation in making this initiative possible.
Rob York
Director for Regional Affairs
Pacific Forum
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
THE PIVOT BACK: WHY WASHINGTON CAN NO LONGER OVERLOOK THE INDIAN OCEAN
THE US-INDIA EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP IS FLOUNDERING: HOW CAN IT RECOVER?
NAVIGATING INDIA’S NEW NUCLEAR NEIGHBORHOOD AND CHINA’S GROWING POWER
MEETING INDIA’S ENERGY NEEDS THROUGH US COLLABORATION
INDIAN SPACE DIPLOMACY: BOOSTING ENGAGEMENT WITH SOUTHEAST ASIA
SHIPS AND THE SHOMPEN: WHY MODI SHOULD REVERSE COURSE ON THE GREAT NICOBAR PROJECT
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
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About the Authors
RIAAN DHANKHAR is a former US-Nehru Fulbright Scholar and currently a Research Associate at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Views are personal.
CHELSEA PATRICK is a Research & Program Associate at Pacific Forum as well as a Young Leader. She obtained a laurea magistrale (MS equivalent) with honors in international relations from the University of Bologna in 2024. Prior to joining Pacific Forum, she worked in banking, law, and program coordination. Her research interests include sustainable development, geopolitics, and peacebuilding.
MYA MACNEIL is currently pursuing a Master’s in Security Policy Studies from The George Washington University. She is interested in nuclear policy and Indo-Pacific security.
WALSH KERN is a Fulbright scholar studying implementation of renewable energy policy on the state level in India. In 2025, he graduated with a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) from Claremont McKenna College. As an undergraduate, he interned with the US Congress, Department of the Interior, and B2U Storage Solutions, working on renewable energy policy.
JEFF OTTO holds a Master’s degree in Asian International Affairs from the University of Hawaii. He is a former Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), participating in programs on Indo-Pacific alliances, competition, and cooperation. His recent research focuses on space governance, astropolitics, and in situ innovation of critical technologies.
JACK POWERS is a senior at Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is a nationally award-winning student journalist, most recently winning a “Best of SNO” award for his coverage of war in the Middle East. He is also interested in Chinese language, culture, and international relations. In summer 2026 he attended the University of Virginia Summer Language Institute, where he studied Mandarin Chinese.
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