Former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Arun Singh, emphasized the global consensus of “zero tolerance for terrorism” while defending India’s recent response in Pakistan following the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam, in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Globally, it has been signaled that there is zero tolerance for terrorism. The US reacted in a certain way after 9/11, you are seeing the reaction in Israel after the attack in October 2023, so there is a sense that there should be and there is zero tolerance for terrorism,” Singh noted, adding that India’s response is aligned with that global sentiment.

Currently a senior counselor at the Cohen Group, Singh also remarked that Pakistan has a long history of “sponsoring terrorism against India for more than four decades.” Commenting on international reactions, he said, “I see it now from outside the government, and watching the comments coming out in India, is that the Indian expectation would be that people stand with India as it deals with the challenge of terrorism.”

Singh made these remarks during the first plenary panel at the inaugural Hopkins India Conference, organized by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute from May 9-10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Other panelists included Sumona Guha, former Senior Director for South Asia at the U.S. National Security Council, and Nisha Biswal, former Deputy CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Senior Advisor at The Asia Group. The session was moderated by Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora.

The panel explored the evolving relationship between the world’s two largest democracies, examining strategic priorities and how institutions, private enterprises, and civil society can deepen this critical partnership.

On the subject of India-U.S. trade negotiations, Singh stated that both countries are committed to concluding a “multi-sectoral Free Trade Agreement,” with the first tranche expected by fall 2025. The goal is to expand bilateral trade from its current level of $200 billion to $500 billion by 2030.

Singh noted, “Both sides are involved in intense negotiations,” and emphasized that there “is a determined effort by the two sides to see it done.” He expressed hope the deal will be finalized before President Donald Trump’s anticipated visit to India this fall for the Quad Leaders’ Summit.

He also referenced the recently concluded India–UK Free Trade Agreement, calling it a sign of India’s intent to build new trade and economic partnerships beyond traditional approaches, and scale manufacturing.

On the broader topic of manufacturing and supply chain diversification, especially Google’s shift of smartphone production from China to Vietnam and more recently to India, is part of the China Plus One strategy, Guha said, “Well, these are questions that I think U.S. industry is certainly contemplating and examining the possibilities. And it’s not just Google that has moved operations into India in recent years. You have other major technology companies doing that.”

However, she added there “might not be a one-size-fits-all,” suggesting that both nations are open to “new questions, new incentives, new modes of cooperation,” and mutually beneficial investment frameworks.

Biswal echoed a pragmatic view on the China Plus One strategy, stating it “largely depends on what the global ecosystem and the U.S. tariff policies” look like. “If you’re in a world where there’s tariffs everywhere, then I think companies are going to double down on cost efficiency, and right now, you can’t really beat China on cost efficiency,” she said.

She explained that the extent of manufacturing shifts depends on factors like bilateral trade agreements and India securing preferential market access. These changes could significantly enhance India’s attractiveness as a manufacturing hub.

The panel also covered initiatives like the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) under the Biden administration and the TRUST initiative under the Trump administration. Topics included quantum technology, artificial intelligence, education collaborations, U.S. visa issues, and India’s move to allow foreign universities to establish campuses in India.

In a separate panel, Chairperson of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, who recently served as WHO’s Chief Scientist, highlighted the increased global focus on tuberculosis (TB), crediting the World Health Organization and civil society for their advocacy. She praised India’s National TB Strategy for setting “very ambitious goals,” aiming to reduce the burden and mortality of TB.

She also pointed out the socioeconomic toll of TB in low- and middle-income countries, saying it often pushes families into poverty. Noting innovation in TB diagnostics, she referenced CBNAAT, “the first molecular test that was approved by WHO,” and others, stressing many of these tools are emerging from India.

“It’s the number one infectious disease killer. So, considering that we’ve had TB diagnostics and treatment around for a while, it’s very sad to think that it’s still killing over 1.25 million people every year around the world, and 300,000 in just India alone,” she warned.

Dr. Swaminathan also expressed concern over declining health R&D investment since the pandemic, particularly the impact of the sudden withdrawal of USAID funding for TB and HIV programs.

The two-day event brought together more than 80 thought leaders, policymakers, academics, and corporate executives from India and the U.S., engaging in dialogues aimed at “designing actionable solutions for a better world.

Raj Gupta, Co-Chair of the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute’s Board of Advisors and Founder of the Ujala Foundation, delivered the valedictory address. He emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to education and healthcare since its inception in 2009.

Highlighting the Foundation’s instrumental role in launching the India Institute, he said, “That goes back to our commitment to people we trust, and organizations we trust as well,” noting his daughter Dr. Amita Gupta’s long-standing work at Johns Hopkins and in India since 2003.

“So, we felt comfortable after meeting her colleagues in India and seeing the work they were doing that this was an institution. This was an organization that we could really support in good faith, and that really led to the startup,” he added. 

Gupta said the Institute aims to strengthen Hopkins’ presence in India while creating global impact in three areas: eliminating TB and communicable diseases in schools, promoting women in STEM in India, and leveraging AI to make healthcare affordable and accessible.

He expressed gratitude to supporters of the event, including Indiaspora, American India Foundation, and South Asian Herald as a media partner.

The conference concluded with a cultural performance by JHU Shakti, Johns Hopkins University’s competitive Indian Classical Dance team. Since 2003, the team has “excelled on stage, telling stories through dance while upholding the values of classical Indian dance form and culture.”

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