Context

• The 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue is scheduled to be held in New Delhi bringing together global leaders, policymakers, diplomats, scholars, and industry experts to deliberate on key geopolitical and geo-economic challenges facing the world.

About Raisina Dialogue

• The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, held annually in New Delhi since 2016. It is organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• The forum serves as a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together heads of state, ministers, senior military officials, business leaders, academics, and representatives from civil society to discuss pressing global issues.
• Often compared with global forums such as the Munich Security Conference and the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Raisina Dialogue represents India’s growing influence in shaping international strategic discourse.
• The name “Raisina” derives from Raisina Hill in New Delhi, which houses the key institutions of the Government of India including the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Theme of Raisina Dialogue 2026

The theme for the 11th edition (2026) is:

“Saṁskāra – Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.”

The theme highlights three core ideas:

1. Assertion – Nations asserting their identity and strategic interests in a multipolar world.
2. Accommodation – Managing diversity and geopolitical differences through cooperation and dialogue.
3. Advancement – Promoting progress through innovation, partnerships, and sustainable development.

This theme reflects the evolving multipolar global order and the need for balancing competition with cooperation.

Key Areas of Discussion

The dialogue focuses on several contemporary global challenges, including:

• Changing geopolitical alliances
• Economic security and supply chains
• Climate change and sustainable development
• Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
• Data governance and digital sovereignty
• Critical minerals and energy transitions
• Connectivity and global infrastructure
• Regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific

These discussions help shape global policy debates and encourage collaborative solutions among countries.

Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (2026)

A significant addition to the 2026 edition is the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (RSDI).

This initiative has been launched through collaboration between:

• Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
• Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

The initiative aims to create a dedicated platform to discuss the intersection of science, technology, and diplomacy.

Key focus areas include:

• Governance of emerging technologies
• Technology control regimes
• Research security
• Global cooperation in scientific innovation
• Participation in global technology standards

This reflects India’s attempt to integrate science diplomacy into international strategic discourse.

Significance of the Raisina Dialogue

1. Platform for Global Strategic Dialogue

The Raisina Dialogue provides a forum where leaders and experts from around the world can engage in discussions on global governance, security, and economic challenges.

2. Strengthening India’s Foreign Policy

The dialogue allows India to project its foreign policy priorities, including:

• Strategic autonomy
• Multilateral cooperation
• Indo-Pacific security
• Global South representation

3. Enhancing India’s Soft Power

Hosting a major global conference strengthens India’s soft power diplomacy and reinforces its image as a responsible global stakeholder.

4. Facilitating Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

Unlike traditional diplomatic meetings, the Raisina Dialogue includes participants from government, academia, business, and civil society, encouraging broader perspectives in policy debates.

Conclusion

• The Raisina Dialogue 2026 underscores India’s growing role as a thought leader in global governance and international relations.
• By bringing together diverse stakeholders to deliberate on pressing geopolitical and technological issues, the dialogue strengthens India’s diplomatic outreach and contributes to shaping a more inclusive and multipolar global order.