On 18 April 2025, Ms. Rami Niranjan Desai, Distinguished Fellow at India Foundation, participated in a panel discussion on “Decolonisation and the Global South: Reshaping Multilateralism”, as part of the Dialogue Session Series at the Puri Literary Festival. She was joined by fellow panelists H.E. Anil Sooklal, Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, Ms. Swasti Rao, and Mr. Pranab Dhal Samanta.

On 28 April 2025, India Foundation organised the inaugural session of “Katha: The Folklore Circle.” This session featured the master storyteller, Ms. Geeta Ramanujam, Founder and Executive Director of Kathalaya Trust and Kathalaya’s International Academy of Storytelling. The session was chaired by Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, with Mr. Apurv Mishra delivering the introductory remarks and explaining the essence and vision behind the Katha series.

Ms. Ramanujam, who holds over four decades of experience in the field of storytelling, was the perfect person to inaugurate the Katha series. Katha will continue with monthly storytelling sessions, featuring storytellers from across the country. Watch this space to know more about the next Katha session! ✨

India Foundation, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre organised a Panel Discussion on ‘Africa in a Changing World: New Discourses on Economy, Narratives and Geopolitics’ on 22 April 2025 at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre. The panelists included Dr Nivedita Ray,Director (Research) ICWA, Sapru House; Ms Ruchira Kamboj, Former Permanent Representative of India to the UN & Former High Commissioner to South Africa and Lesotho & Ms Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation.
The session was moderated by Capt Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation.

On April 22 2025, India Foundation hosted a closed-door interaction with Ms. Rami N Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, who recently undertook a field trip to Myanmar and the surrounding areas in Thailand. The theme was ‘Myanmar Insights: A discussion’.

On April 15, 2025 India Foundation hosted a delegation from the US, led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr Andrew R Herrup for a closed-door interaction on the present condition and future of Myanmar, with an emphasis on the role of the US and India. India Foundation was represented by Ms Rami Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation and Major General Dhruv Katoch, Director, India Foundation and Mr Parth Seth, Research Fellow, India Foundation. The hour-long interaction between Ms Desai and the delegation spanned the current economic, social, and political developments in Myanmar.

The US delegation also included Ms Jennifer Elksnitis, the Burma Desk Officer at the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Office, US Department of State; Mr Michael Cramer, Political Officer at the Embassy of the USA in India; Mr Ajay Dayal, Political Specialist at the US Embassy in India; Mr James Plasman, First Secretary, US Embassy in India.

“One person’s truth is another’s fiction — together, they create stories.”✨

Wherever people have lived, they’ve wondered: How was the world made? Where did animals come from?
From the song of a peacock in an Indian folktale to the swan of a Norse myth, storytelling binds us together.

Join us for the inaugural of “Katha : The Folklore Circle” with the legendary storyteller Geeta Ramanujam, as she weaves timeless myths into mesmerizing tales, retold in her inimitable style.🌟

Ms. Geeta Ramanujam is the founder director of Kathalaya’s International Academy of Storytelling. Join us for the first Katha session with her on 28 April 2025, 5 PM onwards.

For more details on the session, register using this link : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15DQThIyJYF8A0MnMAqpDY3kbcOOaOaybHrDJAFMmLr4/viewform?edit_requested=true

On 7 April 2025, India Foundation, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre organised a Book Discussion on the book ‘Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography’ by Shri Sachin Nandha. The discussants included Shri Prafulla Ketkar, Editor, Organiser (Weekly) & Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA. The session was moderated by Capt Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation.

In the backdrop of the 6th BIMSTEC Conference in Thailand, India Foundation arranged an excursion for the delegates, including former ministers, diplomats, and scholars from BIMSTEC countries, to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

Though Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand are 3,500 kilometers apart, there is a significant connection between the two. These sites are bound together by a shared link to Lord Ram, uniting both nations and their people through history and culture.

Valedictory Session: Future Roadmap – Turning Imperatives into Action

The Valedictory Session focused on outlining the future roadmap for BIMSTEC, emphasizing the need to translate regional imperatives into concrete actions. The session was chaired by Dr. Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation, and was joined by His Excellency DN Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, and Her Excellency Ms. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nepal.

Indramani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, provided an overview of the organization’s upcoming activities, particularly in the context of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. He highlighted that this will be the first in-person meeting of BIMSTEC leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, held in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018. He also noted that the last summit, held in Colombo in March 2022, took place in a virtual format. The session underscored the significance of strengthening regional cooperation through proactive engagement and collaborative initiatives.

At the conclusion of the session, Prof. Surat Horachaikul from Chulalongkorn University delivered the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the speakers, delegates, and organizers for their valuable contributions and insights.

Session II at the 3rd BIMSTEC Dialogue 2025– Impediments to BIMSTEC: Challenges and Roadblocks

“India’s response to the crisis in Myanmar was commendable, demonstrating its commitment to regional solidarity and humanitarian assistance. As part of its swift response, India provided essential aid, including medicines, relief materials, and tents, to support those affected by the crisis—showcasing its dedication to the region.”
– Dr Zaw Oo, Director, CESD, Myanmar.

This session focused on the key challenges and roadblocks hindering regional cooperation within the BIMSTEC framework. Discussions highlighted issues such as policy inconsistencies, infrastructure gaps, trade barriers, and geopolitical complexities that slow down the integration process.

Speakers deliberated on the need for stronger political will, institutional reforms in BIMSTEC, and enhanced connectivity to overcome these challenges and strengthen regional collaboration. This year with the Bangkok Summit, showcases great promise.

The session was chaired by Amb Tariq Karim, Former Ambassador, Bangladesh, and featured esteemed speakers, including Shri Janardan Sarma, Former Minister, Nepal; Shri Harsha De Silva, Former Minister, Sri Lanka; Amb Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Former Vice Minister, Thailand; Amb Ashok Kantha, Former Ambassador, India; Amb Preeti Saran, Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India; and Dr. Zaw Oo, Executive Director, CESD, Myanmar.

The discussants for the session were Amb Ruchira Kamboj, Former Permanent Representative of India to the UN, and Dr. Shristi Pukhrem, Deputy Director (Academics & Research), India Foundation.

The session underscored the urgency of addressing these impediments to unlock BIMSTEC’s full potential for regional growth and cooperation.

Session I at the 3rd BIMSTEC Dialogue 2025 - Imperatives for BIMSTEC: Key Drivers of Regional Cooperation

“There remains a significant gap between action and reality. As the old order evolves, it is crucial to deepen regional relations. Our regional identity is the strength of the Global South.” - Dr. Pavithra Jayawardena, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo.

This session focused on discussing the critical factors that shape regional collaboration among BIMSTEC nations. Key topics such as economic integration, investments, connectivity, and cultural cooperation were explored, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to strengthen regional ties.

The session was chaired by Shri MJ Akbar, Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, India, and featured prominent speakers, including Shri G L Peiris, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka; Shri RK Ranjan Singh, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, India; Shri Raj Kishore Yadav, Former Minister, Nepal; Amb Kinga Singye, Former Foreign Secretary, Bhutan; and U Thant Kyaw, Chairman, MISIS, Myanmar.

The discussants included Amb Rajiv Bhatia, Former Ambassador, Government of India, and Dr. Pavitra Jayawardene, Head of the International Relations Department, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

At the Curtain Raiser Address, Dr. Ram Madhav, President of India Foundation, highlighted the immense potential of BIMSTEC as a vital platform for regional cooperation and connectivity. He was joined by Alok Bansal, Director of India Foundation. Together, they emphasized the need for renewed focus and active engagement, underscoring the importance of deeper discourse to strengthen collaboration among member states.

They stated that, in an era increasingly defined by minilateralism, BIMSTEC can serve as an effective medium for fostering regional interconnectivity and advancing shared interests.

On April 1, 2025, as part of the 3rd BIMSTEC Dialogue, the India Foundation, in collaboration with the BIMSTEC Secretariat and the Indian Study Centre at Chulalongkorn University, hosted an informal networking dinner for all participants, delegates, and policy leaders to discuss the future of regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean Region.

Participants of the Capacity Building Programme engage with democracy in action during their insightful visit to Parliament, gaining firsthand experience of legislative processes and governance.

🎓 Successful Conclusion of Capacity Building Programme! 🎉

The 12-day Capacity Building Programme on Cultural & Political Traditions in Ancient & Medieval India concluded with an insightful Valedictory Session by Sachchidanand Joshi (Member Secretary, IGNCA).

Participants received their completion certificates, marking their journey of learning and research. 📜✨

A big thanks to CPDHE (UGC-MMITC, University of Delhi), and ICSSR for supporting this academic endeavour!

India Foundation hosted the 27th Breakfast Briefing on 29th March, featuring Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman (Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India).

The briefing was attended by ambassadors from multiple missions.

The participants of the Capacity Building Programme, organised by India Foundation, held an interaction with the senior leadership of India Foundation, including Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Chairman Board of Trustee, Maj Gen Dhruv Katoch and Capt Alok Bansal, Directors of India Foundation.

The participants of the Capacity Building Programme, organised by India Foundation, held an interaction with the senior leadership of India Foundation, including Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Chairman Board of Trustee, Maj Gen Dhruv Katoch and Capt Alok Bansal, Directors of India Foundation.

The ICSSR-sponsored Capacity Building Programme successfully concluded its Day 10 session on “Cultural & Political Traditions in Ancient & Medieval India” on March 27, 2025.

✨Distinguished Speakers :
🔹 Prof. Chander Shekhar (University of Delhi) provided deep insights into the Political Thought of Ziauddin Barani.
🔹 Dr. Kedar Phalke (Historian & Author) analyzed Abul Fazl’s Political Thought and its influence on Indian administration.
🔹 Prof. Raziuddin Aquil (University of Delhi) explored the Philosophy & Contributions of Sufi Traditions in shaping India’s socio-cultural fabric.

✅ Day 8 of the Capacity Building Programme was a day of deep insights as we explored the wisdom of Adi Shankaracharya and Thiruvalluvar in the context of India’s cultural and political traditions.

Distinguished Speakers :
🎤 Subamanian Chidambaram (Cummins, India) shared thought-provoking perspectives on Adi Shankaracharya’s philosophy.
🎤 Sudha Seshayan (Central Institute of Classical Tamil) enlightened us on Thiruvalluvar’s timeless teachings.

Stay connected for more such enriching discussions. ✨

India Foundation, in collaboration with India Habitate Centre, organised a book discussion on the book, ‘Our Constitution Our Pride’ by Dr Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation on 25 March 2025 at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre.

The panel consisted of Shri Shekhar Gupta, Founder & Editor-in-chief, ThePrint; Shri Vikramjit Banerjee, Additional Solicitor General of India; and Shri Swapan Dasgupta, Former Member of Parliament & Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation.

Day 7 of the Capacity Building Programme on Cultural & Political Traditions in Ancient & Medieval India was an enriching experience! The session featured thought provoking discussions on Buddhist & Jain political thought along with Philosophies of Gargi & Maitreyi.

🎤 Key Takeaways from Our Distinguished Speakers:
✅ Balaganapathi Devarakonda (University of Delhi) – Explored the nuances of Buddhist Political Thought and its relevance today.
✅ Pankaj Jain (FLAME University) – Offered deep insights into Jain Political Thought and its impact on governance.
✅ Prerna Malhotra (University of Delhi) – Highlighted Gargi’s philosophical contributions and their significance.
✅ Deepak Kalia (University of Delhi) – Shed light on Maitreyī’s wisdom and her role in ancient intellectual traditions.

On March 22, 2025, we had an insightful session on Cultural & Political Traditions in Ancient & Medieval India.

🎤 Neena Bansal spoke on Political Thought of Brihaspati, shedding light on his philosophies and governance ideas.
🎤 Rajvir Sharma discussed Political & Strategic Thought of Kautilya, emphasizing his contributions to statecraft and strategy.

Their insights provided a deeper understanding of India’s intellectual and strategic traditions.