WASHINGTON -- The second round of the U.S.-India Maritime Security Dialogue (MSD) was held May 9-10, 2017 at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The MSD is a unique bilateral forum that brings together civilian and military representatives from both governments.

The U.S. delegation was led jointly by Mr. David Helvey, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs and Mr. Sean Stein, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. The United States was represented by officials from the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Indian delegation was led jointly by Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs at the Ministry of External Affairs; Mr. Manu Mahawar, Joint Secretary for the Americas at the Ministry of External Affairs; and Ms. Devika Raghuvansh, Joint Secretary for the Navy at the Ministry of Defence.

During the Dialogue, the two sides exchanged views on maritime developments in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region and considered steps to further strengthen bilateral maritime security cooperation.

The next round of the MSD will be held in India on mutually convenient dates.