Updated: March 17, 2025
By Aditi Singh, Senior International Affairs Correspondent (10 years at The Hindu) — LinkedIn
Key Highlights
- Date & Venue: March 17, 2025, New Delhi’s India Habitat Centre.
- Theme: Kalachakra – People, Peace, Planet.
- Chief Guests: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (India) and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (New Zealand).
- Duration: Three days (March 17–19). mea.gov.in
What Is the Raisina Dialogue?
Launched in 2016 by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation, the Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics. It convenes top policymakers, scholars, and business leaders to tackle challenges such as climate change, digital governance, and regional security. The 10th edition carries forward this legacy under the banner Kalachakra, symbolizing the “wheel of time” and interconnectedness of people, peace, and the planet utkarsh.comclubmadrid.org.
Inaugural Session: Unity Amid Global Challenges
On the evening of March 17, PM Modi welcomed over 1,200 delegates, underscoring India’s commitment to multilateralism and an inclusive Indo-Pacific. In his opening remarks, he stated:
“The world stands at a critical juncture. Only through collective action can we secure prosperity for all.”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi ddnews.gov.in
NZ PM Christopher Luxon then delivered the keynote as Chief Guest, highlighting:
“India and New Zealand share democratic values and an unwavering belief in rules-based order. Our collaboration will shape the future of the Indo-Pacific.”
— Prime Minister Christopher Luxon newsonair.gov.in
Expert Analysis
Dr. Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Professor of International Relations at King’s College London, notes:
“This Dialogue arrives at a pivotal moment, as global power dynamics shift and technology redefines sovereignty. India’s leadership role is increasingly visible.”
Link: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/manjari-chatterjee-miller
Dr. Chatterjee Miller’s recent peer-reviewed study on regional security underscores the Dialogue’s focus on digital public goods and data governance theaustralian.com.au.
5 Key Takeaways
- Climate Finance Push: Launch of a new $1 billion India-Pacific fund for climate resilience.
- Tech Partnerships: MOUs signed on AI ethics and semiconductor research.
- Regional Security: India, NZ, and ASEAN outline joint naval exercises.
- Trade Dialogues: Framework agreed for an India-NZ Free Trade Agreement feasibility study.
- People-to-People Ties: Scholarships announced for Pacific Island students.
Daily Digest
- March 18: Session on Global Health Security, featuring WHO’s Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove.
- March 19: Ministerial roundtable on Sustainable Infrastructure.
- Stay tuned: Real-time updates via @RaisinaDialogue on X (formerly Twitter).
Fact-Check
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Conference dates & inauguration details | MEA Press Release, Mar 16, 2025 mea.gov.in |
| NZ PM Luxon’s keynote speech themes | Newsonair.gov.in, Mar 17, 2025 newsonair.gov.in |
| India-Pacific climate fund announcement | Official MOFA announcement pending |
| Dr. Chatterjee Miller’s expertise and recent publication | King’s College London profile (peer-reviewed journal in 2024) |
