We are delighted to host Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, IFS (Retd), Former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia, at the NLS campus on January 6, 2026. Ambassador Sajjanhar will be delivering a talk as part of the ‘MEA Distinguished Lecture Series’ by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

His talk, titled ‘Evolution and the Future of the Indo–US Strategic Partnership: With Emphasis on Trade Policy and Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region,’ will be held from 4:30 pm  – 6:30 pm at the Conference Hall, Training Centre.

Abstract

Relations between India and USA have experienced many ups and downs since India’s independence 78 years ago. Relations sank to their nadir in 1971 and 1998. However, ties between the two countries witnessed a steady upward trend since 2000. Addressing the Joint Session of the US Congress in 2016, PM Narendra Modi declared that India ‘’has overcome the hesitations of history.’’ In 2022, speaking with the then US President Joe Biden, PM Modi stated that India-US partnership is based on ‘’trust.’’ This trust received a huge jolt in 2025 with the assumption of power by Donald Trump as the President of USA. This is evident not only in the area of trade in which US actions are totally violative of International Trade Rules as enshrined in the WTO but also in areas of political, security and strategic affairs. What is likely to be the future state of India-US relations? Can the Mutual Trust be restored or will the relations revert back to the period of the Cold War?

About the Speaker

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, is Executive Council Member, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses; President, Institute of Global Studies; Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre; and Former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden & Latvia. 

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar discharged his responsibilities in the Indian Foreign Service for 34 years.

He was Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia and has worked in senior diplomatic positions in Indian Embassies/Missions in Washington DC, Brussels, Moscow, Geneva, Tehran, Dhaka and Bangkok, and also at Headquarters in India. He negotiated for India in the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and in India-EU, India-ASEAN and India-Thailand Free Trade Agreements. He contributed significantly to strengthening strategic and economic ties and promoting cultural cooperation between India and USA, EU, Russia and other countries.

Ambassador Sajjanhar worked as head of the National Foundation for Communal Harmony to promote amity and understanding between different religions, faiths and beliefs. He has been decorated by Governments of Kazakhstan and Latvia with their National Awards and by Universal Peace Federation, New York (a body in special, consultative status with the United Nations) with Title of ”Ambassador of Peace.”

He writes, travels and speaks extensively on issues relating to international relations, foreign policy and themes of contemporary relevance and significance.