South Asian countries rank among the least open to international trade and finance, with very high tariffs and non-tariff trade costs. Amidst a changing global environment and the reshaping of supply chains, can lowering trade barriers serve as an engine of growth and job creation in the region.
The event will discuss the latest edition of the World Bank’s bi-annual flagship Report South Asia Development Update, which examines the region’s current economic landscape and explores the labor market implications of trade reforms.

(Collaboration: The World Bank)

Discussants: Dr Puneet Dwevedi, Chief Consultant in Mental Health and Behavioral Science, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram; Ms. Rita Marathey, Member of the International Society for Substance Use Professionals and Global Women’s Network; Mr Feisal Alkazi, educationist, trainer, theatre director; Ms Vickie Rai, Founder-Member of Sambandh Health Foundation.

Moderator: Ms. Parul Khanna Parashar
Celebrating 50 years of Sanjivini Society for Mental Health on World Mental Health Day

(Collaboration: Sanjivini Society for Mental Health)
 

An expert panel debating the policy choices that will shape how India safeguards digital sovereignty in Free Trade Agreements and National Security Strategy

Speakers: Shri Parminder Jeet Singh, Digital Society Researcher and Activist; Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Convenor, Swadeshi Jagran Manch; Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament; Shri Abhishek Bhatt, Secretary General, Bharath Digital Infrastructure Association; and Shri Ashish Sonal, co-Chair, SITARA and CEO, Orkash

Chair: Ambassador Ashok Kantha

Vote of Thanks: Ambassador Smita Purushottam, Chair, SITARA

(Collaboration: SITARA, Bharath Digital Infrastructure Association (BDIA)

A symposium on “Humanities Matter” which will focus on “Conceptualizing Humanities “. “Humanities and Sciences: An interface” and “Humanities as Bedrock of Knowledge “in 3 sessions.

The Symposium brings together diverse scholars and experts address questions that arise from the perceived threat to humanities across educational institutions. Technical and commercial advancement has marginalized humanistic values, empathy, and social justice.  It will address the role of humanities for science, commerce, and engineering students, exploring how to balance theory with practice, resolve conflict constructively, and incorporate reflection into learning. The discussion aims to highlight the importance of humanities in developing well-rounded, thoughtful individuals and propose practical measures to integrate these values meaningfully into education.

For registration, please write at iic.programme@gmail.com

Programme Committee: Sukrita Paul Kumar (Convenor), Prof Swati Pal, Principal, Janaki Devi College, Prof Asani Bhaduri, Cluster Innovation Centre, Delhi University

The Red Woman

By Laksmisree Banerjee (Black Eagle Books, 2025)

Discussants: Prof. Radha Chakravarty, writer, critic and translator; Dr. Seema Jain, Bilingual Poet, Translator and Editor ; Dr. Kavita Singhal, poet, social worker & educationist

Chair: Dr. Amarendra Khatua, Former Secretary, MEA & DG, ICCR & Poet

Buddhist Sanskrit Manuscripts of Nepal: Continuity of Ancient Indian Textual Traditions in the Himalayas

Keynote Speaker: Prof. Shanker Thapa, Professor of History (retired), Tribhuvan University.

Chair: Shri Shyam Sharan, President, IIC

The Buddhist manuscripts of Nepal are the only surviving original literary heritage of Mahayana Buddhism, preserved for over 1,500 years. The lecture will highlight their historical context, their links with Indian Buddhist traditions, and their role in preserving ancient wisdom. It will also cover medieval Buddhist scholarship, Newar manuscript culture, Nepal’s contributions to manuscript preservation, indigenous literature, repositories, and digital databases.

Prof Shanker Thapa is the first Dean of Lumbini Buddhist University, has taught for 40 years and held fellowships in Seoul and Tokyo. Since 2010, he has been digitizing endangered Sanskrit manuscripts and has authored 18 books, 26 chapters, and over 100 research articles on Buddhism worldwide

Fifteenth in a series of lectures organized by IIC-International Research Division with the support of Ministry of External Affairs

Valedictory Session

At 17:00 Hrs

Introductory Address: Prof. K. Ramasubramanian, Professor-in-charge, Centre for Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems and Skills, IIT Bombay

Address by Prof. M.D. Srinivas, Padma Shri

Guest of Honour: Shri Govind Mohan, Secretary, Home Affairs

(Collaboration: IIC-International Research Division and Centre for Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems and Skills, IIT Bombay)

From Isolation to Integration: Navigating the Geopolitics of India's Northeast (1990-2023)

By Patricia Mukhim (Martin Luther Christian University Press, 2025)

Discussants: Ms. Vrinda Grover, Senior Advocate ; Prof. Tiplut Nongbri, Former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University ; Sh. Shekhar Gupta, Editor, The Print ; Ms. Patricia Mukhim, Social Activist, Journalist and Author of the book

Chair : Sh. Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Moderator: Sh. G K Pillai, Former Union Home Secretary

Trial by Water : Indus Basin and India–Pakistan Relations

By Uttam Kumar Sinha (Penguin, 2025)

Discussants: Sh. Arvind Gupta, Author and Director, Vivekanand International Foundation ; Sh. T C A Raghavan, Author, Historian and Former High Commissioner to Pakistan ; Ms. Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS) ; Sh. Amitabh Sinha, Senior Editor, Indian Express ; Sh. Uttam Sinha, Senior Fellow, MP-IDSA

Chair: Sh. Gurcharan Das, Author, Commentator and Public Intellectual

Speaker: Mr. Sanjay Gathia, Programme Manager at Asia Centre, has over 20 years’ experience with international, intergovernmental, regional organizations, NGOs, and media in Asia. His work spans organizational development, advocacy, capacity-building, and fundraising. 

He has trained and assessed operations for development and media workers in restricted environments, including six years in Myanmar with independent digital media, and integrates digital security into Asia Centre’s activities while coordinating with research and partnership managers.

Followed by Q and A with the Audience.

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJuW9s7tyzoant4DFtVV0gNvL6u4ZpEEDRfKFkttpqXwg6EA/viewform

For more details click here

(Collaboration: Asia Centre, Google, and Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace, WISCOMP)