Contributions

Dr. Kaush Arha

Founder and President

Dr. Kaush Arha is a pioneering architect for free and open spaces network, trusted connectivity and tech diplomacy. He is a leading voice for novel architecture for economic security and trusted technology. He has near three decades of experience as senior executive across US government at state, federal and diplomatic posts. He enjoys a wide reputation as an original strategist and policy entrepreneur with a proven talent to conceive and execute new initiatives, institutions and strategies.

His previous leadership roles include
  • Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he helped architect the Japan–U.S. Strategic Energy Partnership, the Japan–U.S. Digital Economy Partnership, and played an influential role in advancing the U.S.–Japan Free and Open Indo-Pacific Dialogue.
  • Senior Transition Advisor in Kabul, supporting governance and institutional development during a critical period of Afghanistan’s transition.
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary and Associate Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he led significant legal and policy initiatives.
  • Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Global China Hub

Dr. Arha currently serves as
  • Chairman of the Advisory Board Trieste Summit Association
  • Senior Visiting Fellow, Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University

His work also contributes to major international initiatives including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Three Seas Initiative, trusted technology partnerships, critical infrastructure development, and resilient supply chains.

As President of the Forum, Dr. Arha is committed to creating a trusted venue where strategic ideas translate into practical cooperation, enabling governments, businesses, and institutions to strengthen a free, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

In His Own Words...

“A Free and Open Indo-Pacific is sustained not simply by shared interests, but by trusted partnerships, resilient institutions, and principled cooperation.”

“Economic connectivity, technological trust, and strategic resilience must reinforce one another if we are to preserve an open international order.”

Why This Forum?

Many organizations discuss the Indo-Pacific. Few are designed to build the relationships and collaborations necessary to shape its future.

The Forum occupies a unique space by combining strategic thought leadership with practical engagement. Drawing upon the experience and scholarship of Dr. Kaush Arha and an international network of distinguished participants, the Forum serves as both a center for ideas and a catalyst for action.

Our approach emphasizes
  • High-level strategic dialogue among senior policymakers, business leaders, and experts
  • Trusted, invitation-based conversations that encourage candid exchange
  • Cross-sector collaboration connecting government, industry, academia, and civil society
  • Practical facilitation of partnerships and strategic initiatives
  • Long-term engagement focused on measurable outcomes rather than public visibility
Rather than convening conversations for their own sake, the Forum is designed to help participants develop enduring relationships, identify shared priorities, and advance initiatives that strengthen a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Together, we are building a community of leaders committed to preserving openness, advancing prosperity, and strengthening resilience across one of the world’s most consequential regions.