The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi, India. Since its inception in 2016, the Raisina Dialogue has emerged as India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
It is designed on the lines of Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue.
The event serves as a high-level platform for discussions on a range of critical topics, including geopolitics, trade, security, climate change, technology, and the evolving dynamics of international relations in the 21st century. The conference is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving a variety of global policymakers including heads of states, cabinet ministers and local government officials. In addition, the Dialogue also welcomes major private sector executives, as well as members of the media and academia.
The name “Raisina Dialogue” comes from Raisina Hill, an elevation in New Delhi, seat of the Government of India, as well as the Parliament, Supreme Court and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Themes and Importance
The tenth edition of Raisina Dialogue was held in New Delhi from 17 March to 19 March 2025.
The theme for 2025 was “Kālachakra: People, Peace and Planet”.
Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon was the chief guest and delivered the keynote address in the inaugral session. The event also featured National Security Advisor (United States) Michael Waltz.
The event witnessed participation of representatives from about 125 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of Industry, Technology Leaders, Academics, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth. Decision makers and thought leaders of the world engaged each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars: (i) Politics Interrupted: Shifting Sands and Rising Tides; (ii) Resolving the Green Trilemma: Who, Where, & How; (iii) Digital Planet: Agents, Agencies and Absences; (iv) Militant Mercantilism: Trade, Supply Chains & the Exchange Rate Addiction; (v) The Tiger’s Tale: Rewriting Development with a New Plan; and (vi) Investing in Peace: Drivers, Institutions, & Leadership.
A Platform for India’s Global Vision
For India, the Raisina Dialogue is not just a platform for conversation—it is an opportunity to highlight its diplomatic vision and showcase its role as a key player in global governance. India’s foreign policy has evolved significantly over the years, with a strong emphasis on multilateralism, connectivity, and cooperation in global forums like the United Nations, BRICS, G20, and more.
By hosting the Raisina Dialogue, India demonstrates its willingness to lead discussions on global challenges. The event positions India as an advocate for rules-based international order and a proponent of inclusive growth, climate justice, and regional stability. It is a unique opportunity for India to share its perspective on issues such as the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific, the role of emerging economies in the global order, and its vision for the future of global trade.
Key Highlights of the Dialogue:
- Diverse Participation: The dialogue regularly features notable speakers from across the world, including leaders from global institutions like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund, as well as renowned economists, technologists, and activists.
- Focused Themes: The themes of the Raisina Dialogue are carefully curated to address the most pressing issues in global politics, economics, and technology. Topics such as the strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, the implications of artificial intelligence on international relations, and the future of digital economies have been discussed in previous editions.
- Multilateralism at Core: A key focus of the Raisina Dialogue is the promotion of multilateralism. India, by hosting this event, reinforces the importance of collaborative action in solving global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, health pandemics, and economic inequality.
- Youth Engagement: Recognizing the importance of engaging younger generations in shaping the future, the Raisina Dialogue also includes sessions where youth leaders and innovators share their perspectives on shaping global governance and diplomatic practices.
The Raisina Dialogue plays a crucial role in advancing India’s strategic interests by fostering deeper engagements with key global players. It allows India to amplify its voice on the world stage and to work collaboratively with other nations to address shared challenges, such as terrorism, cybersecurity threats, climate change, and economic instability. Through such dialogues, India has been able to strengthen its relations with both established powers and emerging economies.
The Raisina Dialogue is set to continue growing as a premier global platform for dialogue. As the world faces an era of increasing uncertainties—marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting power dynamics, climate crises, and technological advancements—such conversations will be more critical than ever.
In the coming years, the Raisina Dialogue could further expand its focus to include issues such as space diplomacy, the intersection of technology and global security, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of governance. It may also continue to engage new stakeholders, such as non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and civil society groups, to ensure that a broad range of perspectives is represented.
The Raisina Dialogue stands as a testament to India’s growing influence in shaping the future of international diplomacy. By offering a platform for open and honest discussions on global issues, it plays a crucial role in fostering cooperation and mutual understanding among nations. As we move forward into an increasingly interconnected world, platforms like the Raisina Dialogue will continue to be invaluable in building bridges across borders, fostering dialogue, and crafting collaborative solutions to the challenges we face as a global community.
