On 14 May 2025, India Foundation organised the 4th Shakti Sinha Memorial Lecture. This lecture was delivered by Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS & Former Chief Secretary- Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and it brought to light the multifaceted history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From the region’s strategic role in British trade to the ongoing challenges of tourism and tribal communication, the discussion was both informative and thought-provoking.

India Foundation, in collaboration with South Asia Women’s Network (SWAN) & Tarayana Foundation, organised the “Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Rural South Asia: Sustainable Pathways” in Thimphu from May 8-10, 2025. The conference was graced and inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Founding President of the Tarayana Foundation. The conference explored sustainable and inclusive economic growth through women’s empowerment, emphasizing regional cooperation to enhance rural women’s well-being and decision-making participation in South Asia.

Ms Rami N Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation Chaired the opening session “The viability of women in The Arc of Rural Tourism”. She also gave the concluding remarks in the conference focusing on the role of women’s empowerment in regional stability.

Recap of Day 6 of KFP 2025 ✨

The final day of the in-person sessions of the Kautilya Fellows Programme 2025 in New Delhi wrapped up with a series of enriching and thought-provoking discussions on the Indian Public Policy landscape, led by an esteemed line-up of speakers.

The highlight of the day was the Valedictory Session, where Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power and Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, addressed the KFP cohort with inspiring remarks.

During the session, the “KFP Distinguished Fellows” awards were also presented by Shri Manohar Lal Khattar to two outstanding fellows in recognition of their exceptional engagement and contributions throughout the programme.

We look forward to continuing our journey with this dynamic and committed cohort through the rest of the fellowship!💯✨

Session 31 : Frontier Technology and DPI
#KFP2025 ✨

Shri Jayant Sinha, Former Minister of State for Finance and Civil Aviation and Member, Governing Council, India Foundation, discusses about how India’s DPI model, anchored in platforms like Aadhaar (digital identity), UPI (digital payments), DigiLocker, and CoWIN, has become a global benchmark for inclusive and scalable digital innovation. He discusses about how these open, interoperable systems allow both public and private actors to build solutions that reach the last mile while maintaining trust, transparency, and efficiency.

Session 30 : Innovation in Indian Education System
#KFP2025 ✨

Dr. M Jagadesh Kumar, Former Chairperson of the University Grants Commission, discusses about how the Indian education system is undergoing a transformative shift driven by innovation and guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which marks a significant milestone in aligning education with 21st-century needs. He discusses about how the reforms are forward-looking reform that blends traditional Indian knowledge systems with global best practices, aiming to create an education system that is inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive.

Session 29 : Indian Social Order and Affirmative Action
#KFP2025 ✨

Dr Guru Prakash Paswan, Assistant Professor, Patna University and Visiting Fellow, India Foundation, discusses about India’s social order has historically been shaped by a complex caste system and deep-rooted hierarchies, which have influenced access to resources, education, and opportunities.

While India has made significant strides in economic development and democratic governance, social inequalities—particularly caste-based discrimination—have persisted as structural challenges. He talks about India’s model thus represents a dynamic balance between historical redressal and evolving democratic aspirations for an inclusive and just society.

Session 28 : Diversity & Harmony
#KFP2025✨

Shri Sultan Shahin, Founder-Editor, New Age Islam discusses about Unity in diversity. He discusses about India’s ability to maintain social cohesion amidst such profound diversity is a testament to its deep-rooted traditions of dialogue, tolerance, and spiritual pluralism. In the Indian context, diversity is not a barrier—it is a source of strength, creativity, and unity.

✨|| Valedictory Address ||✨
#KFP2025

The Valedictory Session of Kautilya Fellows Programme 2025 was delivered by Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, on the topic of Viksit Bharat.

He addressed the cohort, sharing his insights on the vision of Viksit Bharat. He was joined by Dr Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation ; Shri Jayant Sinha, Former Minister of State for Finance, Civil Aviation and Member, Governing Council, India Foundation & Dr Rupa Vasudevan, Chancellor, BEST Innovation University and Member, Governing Council, India Foundation.

At the conclusion of the residential fellowship, he presented awards to two distinguished Kautilya Fellows for their exceptional performance.

⭐️The KFP 2025 Distinguished Fellows are :
🇮🇷 Ms. Hosna Salimi from Iran
🇳🇱 Mr. Michel Michaloliakos from the Netherlands

Session 27 : Indian Culture and Spirituality through Classical Dances of India
#KFP2025 ✨

Dr. Ami Upadhyay, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (State) Open University, Gujarat, discusses the rich traditions of Indian classical dance, which reflect the country’s vibrant culture and spiritual heritage.

She explains how these dances are rooted in the ancient treatise Natya Shastra, having been conceived as a medium to express devotion (bhakti), transmit mythology, and evoke the divine through human movement. Each classical dance form, she notes, embodies unique regional aesthetics while sharing a common thread of sacred storytelling and symbolic expression—often recounting deities such as Shiva and Vishnu.

She also narrates tales of Krishna and Radha, brought to life through graceful spins and emotive storytelling.

Recap of Day 5 of #KFP2025 ✨

Day 5 continued with sessions on Indian Public Policy, featuring a wonderful and inspiring line-up of speakers. The highlight of the day was the fellows visit to the Indian Parliament. The day concluded with a fun and engaging Open Mic session titled `Innovative Thinking Lab`, hosted & curated by Dr. Rupa Vasudevan, Founder-Chancellor, BEST Innovation University & Member, Governing Council, India Foundation. The Open Mic was thoroughly enjoyed by the fellows, making it a lovely evening to remember.

Session 26 : India’s Security Establishment
#KFP2025 ✨

Air Marshal P.K. Roy, Former Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command & Member, Governing Council, India Foundation highlighted how geography, societal diversity, and evolving threats shape the structure and role of the Indian Armed Forces, emphasizing the importance of civilian control and a multidimensional security approach. He also discussed the growing relevance of climate change, intelligence coordination, and the role of the National Security Advisor and CCS in national security decision-making.

Lt. Gen. Arun Sahni, Former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army & Member, Governing Council, India Foundation traced the evolution of security from the Treaty of Westphalia to modern citizen-centric models, stressing the need for integrated tri-service commands, the role of the Chief of Defence Staff, and the strategic rise of defence diplomacy amid challenges from China and Pakistan.

Session 25 : Cultural Nationalism
#KFP2025 ✨

Swapan Dasgupta, Former MP (Rajya Sabha) and Distinguished Fellow at India Foundation, discussed the idea of Cultural Nationalism. He spoke about the challenges posed by linguistic diversity, and how, despite these, a vast country like India continues to unify under a shared national identity. He argued that India has been held together by common cultural and civilizational values, which have endured despite internal differences.

Session 24 : Special Session
#KPF2025 ✨

Dr. Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation, addressed the audience during the special open mic session!

On May 9, 2025, the KFP 2025 Fellows visited the Indian Parliament — the epicenter of the country’s democratic process. The visit offered a real-life glimpse into where policymaking takes shape in India, making classroom concepts come alive. An inspiring and unforgettable experience for the cohort!

#KFP2025 ✨

Recap of Day 4 of #KFP2025 ✨

Day 4 began with engaging sessions on Indian Public Policy, featuring an impressive line-up of esteemed speakers. The highlight of the day was the cohort’s visit to the Vice President of India’s residence, where they had the honour of being personally addressed by him — a truly memorable and inspiring experience. The day concluded with another round of dynamic country presentations, featuring the USA, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, Mexico and Iran.

Session 23 : Indian Elections
#KFP2025✨

Shri Rajat Sethi, Entrepreneur, shares insights on the world’s largest democracy and his experiences with how India conducts its elections in a transparent, accountable, and efficient manner. He dwells into the complexity, scale, and the commitment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in conducting elections in a diverse country like India. Drawing from his policy experience, he highlights the role of technology, institutional integrity, and citizen participation which shape the democratic ethos of Indian elections – becoming a benchmark for electoral processes across the globe.

Session 22 : Indian Economy
#KFP2025✨

Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), discusses how economic growth drives societal change and contributes to the reduction of poverty in India. She highlights the role of precision policymaking in driving this growth and emphasizes the interplay between narrative economics and geopolitics. She also explains how India’s economic trajectory shapes its global vision.

Session 21 : Media - The Fourth Pillar of Indian Democracy
#KFP2025 ✨

Priya Sehgal, Senior Executive Editor (Political), discusses about how media, plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, holding power to account, and safeguarding democratic values in India. As a bridge between the government and the people, the media informs citizens, stimulates public debate, and ensures transparency in governance. In India’s diverse and vibrant democracy, the media has been instrumental in exposing corruption, amplifying marginalized voices, and upholding constitutional values like freedom of expression and the right to information. She discusses about the challenges such as media bias, sensationalism, corporate influence, and the spread of misinformation which pose serious concerns.

Session 20 : Special Session
#KFP2025✨

Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Vice President of India, addressed the cohort of the Kautilya Fellows Programme at the Vice President’s Enclave today.

He emphasized Kautilya’s philosophy on global peace, fraternity, and welfare, highlighting its continued relevance. He spoke about Kautilya’s profound knowledge and the practical application of his wisdom in governance, statecraft, political systems, and leadership.

We thank the Hon’ble Vice President for his valuable time and insights!

Session 19 : India & Its Neighbourhood
#KFP2025 ✨

Shri A B Mathur, Member - National Security Advisory Board Member & Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation talks about ‘Neighbourhood First’ in action. He explores India’s approach to regional peace, connectivity & cooperation surrounding India.

#NeighbourhoodFirst #RegionalDiplomacy

Session 18 : Indian Constitution & Judiciary
#KFP2025 ✨

Shri Vikramjit Banerjee, Senior Advocate & Additional Solicitor General of India, discusses the Constitution of India, emphasizing the foundational concept of the rule of law and how the Constitution serves as the framework for governance for the Judiciary. He describes the Indian Constitution as a unique blend of rigidity and flexibility.

Furthermore, he explains how the Indian judiciary upholds the principle of treating equals equally and unequal’s unequally—highlighting its commitment to welfare and justice. He also discusses Article 44 and the importance of diversity, using it to elaborate on the Indian understanding of secularism.

#Judiciary #IndianConstitution

Recap of Day 3 of #KFP2025 ✨

Day 3 continued with enriching sessions on Indian Foreign Policy led by an esteemed panel of speakers, followed by yet another dynamic round of country presentations. The day ended with an engaging simulation exercise titled “Trade & Tariffs”, conducted by Mr. Apurv Mishra, Visiting Fellow at India Foundation. The simulation sparked spirited debate and collaboration, offering the fellows a hands-on experience in trade negotiations.

Session 17 : Trade, Entrepreneurship & Opportunities
#KFP2025✨

Shri Shaurya Doval, Managing Director, Zeus Caps & Member, Governing Council, India Foundation highlighted India’s rise as the world’s fourth-largest economy with a $4 trillion GDP. He emphasised on India’s private sector-led model which outlined economic evolution in three phases – from post-independence protectionism to liberalization and now, scale-driven growth. He traced the surge in exports and foreign investment due to India’s emergence as a global IT and services hub, and stressed that innovation and entrepreneurship will drive India’s future growth.

Session 15 & 16 : “India and Multilateralism”& “India and Plurilateralism”
#KFP2025 ✨

“The world must unite against it and call out those countries that privilege cross-border terrorism.”
Amb. Ruchira Kamboj, Former Permanent Representative/Ambassador of India to the United Nations and Governing Council Member at India Foundation, speaks about India’s role as a bridge-builder in the UN system.
She reflects on how India has consistently championed the interests of the Global South and highlights India’s longstanding contributions across various UN committees. Amb. Kamboj recalls the legacy of Indian diplomats and reformers like Vijay Lakshmi Pandit and Hansa Mehta, who helped shape international discourse on human rights and gender equality— as Shrimati Hansa Mehta notably influencing the language of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its contribution in UN peacekeeping missions.
India has served multiple terms on the UN Security Council, most recently in 2021–22. During this tenure, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,
Furthermore, she stresses on India’s advancement of “5-S” approach—Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahayog (Cooperation), Shanti (Peace), and Samriddhi (Prosperity)—as the guiding principles of its multilateral engagement.

Session 14 : India & Afghanistan-Pakistan
#KFP2025✨

Capt. Alok Bansal, Director at India Foundation, discussed issues of security, stability, and strategic depth in the context of India’s approach to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Session 13 : India’s Security Challenges
#KFP2025✨

Lt Gen Raj Shukla, Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), spoke about the complex array of security challenges India faces—both traditional and non-traditional. Externally, these include unresolved border disputes with China and Pakistan, cross-border terrorism, and regional instability. Internally, challenges range from insurgencies in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast to left-wing extremism, among others.

Session 12 : Cultural Diplomacy
#KFP2025✨

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha ; Former President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Governing Council Member at India Foundation, spoke on India’s soft power as a civilisational bridge. He emphasised how Indian philosophy shapes the nation’s worldview and serves as a vehicle of knowledge across generations. He also explained how diverse sub-identities come together to form the larger Indian identity.

Recap of Day 2 of the #KFP2025 ✨

Day 2 continued with inspiring and insightful sessions on Indian Foreign Policy, led by an excellent line-up of speakers. The day concluded with “Bharat Ek Quiz”, conducted by Mr. Aaditya Tiwari, Visiting Fellow, India Foundation. The interactive quiz session was thoroughly enjoyed by all fellows, who participated with great enthusiasm

India Foundation convened a closed-door brainstorming session on ‘India-Pakistan’ on May 6, 2025, at its office. The session commenced with the opening addresses by Shri M J Akbar, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India and Amb. Gautam Bambawale, Former Indian Ambassador to Pakistan and China. Capt. Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation, chaired the discussion, which saw the participation of security experts, academicians, former officials from the army, navy, and air force, former ambassadors, and current policymakers.

Session 11 : India & West Asia
#KFP2025✨

Shri M.J. Akbar, Former Minister of State for External Affairs and Governing Council Member at India Foundation, shared insights on India’s strategic engagement with West Asia. He spoke about the critical role of energy, diaspora, and diplomacy, highlighting how India’s approach to the region is a lesson in balance. He also emphasised the importance of connectivity and shared identities in shaping this enduring relationship.

Session 10 : India-China Relations
#KFP2025 ✨

Amb. Gautam Bambawale, former Ambassador of India, discussed the themes of dialogue and deterrence in India–China relations. He informed the Cohort about how the Galwan incident marked an inflection point for India, significantly impacting bilateral ties. He elaborated on India’s post-Galwan strategy, the rise in inbound investments, and various agreements signed between the two nations. Ambassador Bambawale also reflected on India’s delicate balancing act in managing its complex relationship with China.

Session 9 : India–USA Relations
#KFP2025✨

Shri Ashok Malik, Partner & Chair (India) at Asia Group, spoke on the shared democratic values underpinning India–US ties.

He highlighted the strengthening defence cooperation and the growing strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific era. Despite differences, both nations remain comfortable working together—semiconductors being one such area of collaboration. The robust people-to-people relationship continues to be a key pillar of this partnership.

Session 8 : India & Indian Ocean
#KFP2025✨

Amb. Jaideep Mazumdar, Former Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, India discusses about how the Indian Ocean Region is emerging as a powerful medium for connectivity, cooperation and regional integration. Historically, India has been focused on promoting maritime security and development in the region. The Indian Navy is well-regarded for its disaster relief operations, highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean as a gateway—rather than a barrier—in today’s interconnected world.
Cultural and historical ties have often evolved into strategic relationships, with the Indian Ocean serving as a vibrant corridor of exchange. Indian ports have historically been major hubs of trade and interaction. India’s emphasis on “Security and Growth for All” in the Indian Ocean is deeply rooted in its civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. This vision was recently reaffirmed at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference, organized by the India Foundation in Muscat, Oman, where 26 ministerial delegations participated, reflecting a shared commitment to regional engagement and cooperation.

Session 6 & 7 : India & Global Trade
#KFP2025✨

Amb. Mohan Kumar, Former Ambassador , Ministry of External Affairs, India & Dean/Professor of Diplomatic Practice at OP Jindal School of International Affairs talks about Trade as India’s growth engine. From FTA negotiations to global supply chains, and discussed how India balances Atmanirbharta with global engagement. He also discusses about how India is undergoing a strategic economic shift from a balancing to a leading power, driven by post-COVID protectionism, global trade disruptions, and internal inequality. To sustain growth and become a rule-maker in global trade, India must pursue FTAs, implement deep structural reforms, and align domestic policies with emerging global standards in technology, labour, and environment.

Recap of the Day 1 of #KFP2025✨

An inspiring start to the week with a wonderful line-up of Indian Foreign Policy sessions led by esteemed speakers. The day concluded with vibrant country presentations from fellows representing Canada, Costa Rica, Morocco, the Netherlands, Poland, and Vietnam—each sharing rich insights into their unique cultures and traditions.

Session 5 : Global Conflicts & India
#KFP2025✨

Shri M.J. Akbar, Former Minister of State for External Affairs of India and Governing Council Member, India Foundation, discusses India’s nuanced role and engagement in a turbulent world. He notes that modern wars often arise from unresolved historical legacies and shifting definitions of territory. He highlights how non-violence has shaped global movements and emphasizes that emerging conflicts are increasingly driven by resource competition, pointing to the crumbling of post-World War II structures.