Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister of India

In his address at the Brookings Institution, Yashwant Sinha, India’s recently appointed Minister of External Affairs, will outline the Indian approach to the new realities in the post-September 11 world and discuss how India and the United States can work together as “natural allies” to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

This Brookings Leadership Forum will take place on the eve of the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which redefined American engagement in South Asia. As a functioning democracy with the second largest population in the world, a recent nuclear power, and a revitalizing economy with strengths in information technology, India stands to exert a powerful influence on the international community. Mr. Sinha will address the forum shortly before elections in Kashmir, which could prove critical to the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan over the region.

Mr. Sinha brings a fresh perspective to the world of diplomacy. He previously served as India’s finance minister, where his agenda included pushing India’s economic reforms and encouraging growth while keeping inflation in check. Under Mr. Sinha’s leadership, India reduced its debt, improved balance of payments, and restructured state-owned banks.

The Brookings Leadership Forum provides high-level government officials from around the world the opportunity to address members of the Washington policy community and to share their insights and perspectives on world events as well as on issues of particular concern to their countries.