Once upon a time a Persian King sent his most learned scholar to Bharat to learn the Fable. He not only learnt the Indian fable, but also translated it into Pahlavi (Middle Persian), which then got translated into Arabic, and thereafter into French and then reached all over Europe teaching principles of strategic thinking and governance intelligence. Bharat shall make its own Fable! #AI #Anthropic, #Claude #Fable5

A two-member delegation from the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), comprising Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty, Joint Secretary, and Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, participated in the Second Meeting of the #TermezDialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, titled “Peace, Connectivity and Resilience: Shaping the Foundation of Shared Prosperity”, held from 4 to 6 June 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At the sidelines of the dialogue Mr. Chakraborty held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Aripov Eldor Takhirovich, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (#ISRS), the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) partner with ICWA, to discuss the organisation of the Fourth #India-#Uzbekistan Think Tanks Forum and explore potential joint initiatives. Dr. Punit Gaur contributed to the second panel session, titled “Cultural-Humanitarian Cooperation as Foundation for Trust and Mutual Understanding,” where he presented perspectives on enhancing collaboration and fostering mutual trust through cultural exchanges.

Shall be on the DD Morning Show tomorrow to share my perspectives on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, a landmark reform in Bharat’s Higher Education system. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @dpradhanbjp @DrSukantaBJP @jayantrld @EduMinOfIndia @ugc_india

The wait is over. The full cinematic tribute to #OperationSindoor is here - honouring courage, precision, and the unwavering spirit of our Defence Forces. Watch the complete film and relive the moment that reflects India’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, unity, and integrity. 🇮🇳🫡 Full movie streaming now! @rajnathsingh @DefenceMinIndia @SethSanjayMP @HQ_IDS_India @DefProdnIndia @adgpi @indiannavy @IAF_MCC @PIB_India

The new #constitutional framework marks a shift from a super-presidential system to a more balanced presidential #republic with robust parliamentary authority. It seeks to foster a new political culture and strengthen #civil #society. Read more in #ICWAIssueBrief on “Constitutional Transformation in Kazakhstan: The Emergence of a New Institutional Framework” by Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, ICWA. Click 👉 bit.ly/42ewFr3

TRIPP known as #Trump Route is probably the most unambiguously positive foreign policy achievement of the second Trump administration, precisely because it squares competing imperatives: connecting #Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan while explicitly safeguarding Armenian sovereignty, strengthening the Middle Corridor and giving #US companies and the US government a #financial stake in success. Read more in ICWA Special Report titled “US Strategic Engagement in the South Caucasus via TRIPP: Regional Geopolitical Implications” by Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, ICWA. Click 👉 bit.ly/4sJnRod

In collaboration with ICWA, Department of Political Science, Galsi Mahavidyalaya, Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, organised a Two-day International Conference on “The Indian Model: Federalism, Pluralism and Democratic Resilience in a Divided World" from 6-7 March 2026. Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, ICWA represented the Council and spoke as a special guest at the inaugural session. The conference included experts/scholars who examined multiple aspects of federalism, pluralism, and democratic resilience, focusing on India’s experiences and its role in a divided world. Dr. Gaur emphasised that the Indian model exemplifies federalism, pluralism, and democratic resilience. This model is founded on the philosophy "वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्," meaning "the entire world is a family." Through this perspective, India actively promotes global peace, stability, and inclusive development.

Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow at ICWA, participated in the #International Conference titled "Ensuring #Sustainable Development through Public #Diplomacy at the National, Regional and Global Level" organised by the SCO Centre for Public Diplomacy, Tashkent, on 4 December 2025. Amb. Smita Pant, Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan @amb_tashkent, was the guest speaker at the inaugural session. Dr. Punit Gaur's presentation emphasised the role of India's digital diplomacy in contributing to its development objectives and also in encouraging international collaboration on digital technologies such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) especially with the Global South. He also spoke of an inclusive, sustainable framework at the global level for technology cooperation for which India was ready to make its contribution.

Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, #ICWA, participated in the International Conference titled “Kyrgyz Statehood and the Phenomenon of Manas” organised by the “Manas” National Academy under the Government of #Kyrgyz Republic on 2-3 December 2025. The welcome address at the Conference was delivered by the State Secretary of Kyrgyzstan Mr. Arslan Koichiev. Dr. Punit Gaur's presentation titled “Indian Epics and Kyrgyz 'Manas': #Civilisational Connection and Common Values”, emphasised the similarities between the great epics of India and Krgyzstan i.e Ramayana, Mahabharata and Manas. All three talk of the essential values of being human, the ideal character of man, and dharma i.e. the duties and responsibilities of being a man. He highlighted the similarity in the names of the Kyrgyz 'Manas' and the Indian 'Ram Charit Manas' or Tulsidas' version of Ramayana signifying spiritual connect and cultural affinity between the peoples of India and Kyrgyzstan.

Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, #ICWA participated in the Almaty Forum titled “#India and #Kazakhstan: Forging Partnership in an Age of Disruption,” organized by the Embassy of India in Kazakhstan @indembastana in collaboration with Narxoz University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the Heartland Expert-Analytical Centre on 13 November 2025 in Almaty. Welcome address was delivered by the Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, H.E. Y.K. Sailas Thangal @Angkailongdi. Dr. Punit Gaur emphasized the various facets of the India–Kazakhstan political dialogue and cooperation frameworks, with particular reference to the significance of regional and multilateral groupings within the region. He underscored that common approaches and shared values across various multilateral initiatives, such as #CICA, #SCO, #BRICS, and the #GlobalSouth, are crucial for strengthening dialogue and cooperation in an age of disruption.

Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, Research Fellow, #ICWA, participated at an International Conference on “SCO and People’s Diplomacy: Perspective of Global Cooperation" held within the XII Civil Forum of #Kazakhstan on 15-16 October 2025. He highlighted that amidst the geopolitical churn that the world is witnessing today, the SCO can play a decisive role in promoting multilateralism and an inclusive world through advancing global cooperation and mutual understanding. He underscored that the proposal of creation of a Civilizational Dialogue Forum under the SCO by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in the SCO Summit at Tianjin, to strengthen people-to-people ties, can play a significant role in promoting a people-centric approach in the SCO through cooperation among member states.

#हिंदी_दिवस के अवसर पर #ICWA में #हिंदी_पखवाड़ा (14 सितंबर से 28 सितंबर 2025) मनाया जा रहा है। राजभाषा #हिंदी के प्रति जागरूकता बढ़ाने हेतु इस अवधि में हिंदी प्रतियोगिता एवं संगोष्ठी आयोजित की जाएगी। #HindiDiwas2025 #RajbhashaHindi #SapruHouse

#ICWA held an online interaction with the International Institute for Central Asia (#IICA), Tashkent, Uzbekistan @IICAinTashkent on the conclusion of the MoU between ICWA and IICA on 4 September 2025. Ms. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General and Additional Secretary, ICWA, and Ambassador Javlon Vakhabov @JavlonVakhabov, Managing Director, IICA, Tashkent signed the MoU in the presence of Mr. Sone Lal Mallik, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of India, Tashkent @amb_tashkent and Amb. Sardor M Rustambaev @RustambaevS, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India @Uzbek_Embassy. The MoU provides for an institutionalized framework for collaboration in the field of diplomacy and international relations in keeping with the close and friendly relations between #India and #Uzbekistan and their peoples. It provides for joint organization of seminars, dialogue, publications and research on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Read full text of remarks by ADG, ICWA 👉bit.ly/45OVVXM

#ICWA organised a Round-Table Discussion on the theme “Formulating a Eurasia Outlook of India for the New Era” on 3 September 2025 at #SapruHouse. It was chaired by Amb. Ajay Bisaria @Ajaybis, Former Ambassador of India to Poland @IndiainPoland. Welcome Remarks were delivered by Ms. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General & Additional Secretary, ICWA. The discussion agreed that the time was opportune to elaborate a structured Eurasian Outlook in Indian Foreign Policy, informed by India's historical and lived experiences and driven by the need to provide a secure and stable environment for India's own growth story. Views were exchanged on the possible elements of such an Outlook. Discussions were also held on the Russian, Central Asian, EU, Chinese and Turkish narratives on Eurasia and respective approaches in foreign policy. A presentation was also made on the Buddhist and pre-Buddhist Indic linkages of the Eurasian space. The following experts participated in the Round-Table Discussion: Prof. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); Prof. K. Warikoo, Secretary General (Hony.), Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation, New Delhi; Prof. Guli Yuldasheva, Coordinating & Methodological Centre for Modern History, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Prof. Laura Yerekesheva @LYerekesheva, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Prof. Sriparna Pathak @Sriparnapathak, Professor of China Studies, Founding Director of the Centre for Northeast Asian Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) @JindalGlobalUNI, Haryana; Dr. Bhavna Dave, Senior Lecturer in Central Asian Politics, Department of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London @SOAS; Prof. Rajan Kumar @RajanKumarJNU, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, SIS, JNU; and Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata @mrdebata, Associate Professor, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, SIS, JNU. Read full text of remarks by ADG, ICWA 👉 bit.ly/3UU9y1w

Is RIC(E) cooking?

Statement by Official Spokesperson⬇️ 🔗 bit.ly/40Qj6On

Career Point University @careerpointltd, Kota, Rajasthan, organised the Inter-University Essay Writing Competition on “India’s Role in Global Affairs: Perspective for the 21st Century” in collaboration with #ICWA under the Council’s “Foreign Policy Awareness Programme” on 30 July 2025. Dr. Punit Gaur @Punitgaur, RF, ICWA, represented the Council as the Chief Guest. In his address, he explained various dynamics of transformation of India’s role in global affairs over the last ten years, including increasing awareness about foreign policy, Non-alignment to Multi-alignment, Rule taker to Rule Maker, Reactive to Proactive, Soft power to Hard power. Students from premier institutions such as Christ University, Pune Lavasa campus @christlavasa, BITS Pilani @bitspilaniindia, Symbiosis International University @symbiosistweets, Pune, Amity University @AmityUni, Indian Maritime University @IMU_HQ, and Rajasthan University @UniRajOfficial, to several colleges situated in nearby rural places participated with great enthusiasm.

#ICWA organised a roundtable discussion on the theme “CICA Fostering Dialogue, Trust and Development towards Stable Asian Order: Developing an Indian Perspective” on 29th July 2025 at #SapruHouse. It was chaired by Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar @asajjanhar, Former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan @indembastana, Sweden @IndiainSweden and Latvia. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Professor, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, SIS @sisjnu_official, JNU; Dr. Meena Singh Roy, Senior Fellow and Head, Central and West Asia, Tillotama Foundation @TillotomaF; Gp Capt (Dr) Rajneesh Kumar @drrajneesh207, Senior Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies @CAPS_INDIA; Dr. Rajan Kumar @RajanKumarJNU, Professor, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, SIS, JNU @JNU_official_50; Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata @mrdebata, Associate Professor, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, SIS, JNU; and Dr. Athar Zafar @AtharZafar1, Senior Research Fellow, ICWA were the panellists. Welcome Remarks were delivered by Ms. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General, ICWA. The Discussion broadly focused on CICA and its ongoing transformation into a full-fledged international organization, India’s evolving engagement with CICA, and the role CICA potentially can play in Asian regional cooperation. ICWA is represented on the CICA Think Tank Forum since 2021.

The two-day National Seminar on "India's Neighbourhood First Policy: Challenges and Options" was organised under the joint aegis of the ICWA and the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur @ddugu_official, on 26-27 July 2025. Professor Shri Prakash Mani Tripathi, Former Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, was the Chief Guest in the inaugural session. Dr. Punit Gaur @punitgaur, RF, ICWA, represented the Council in the Seminar. He pointed out that the 'Neighbourhood First' policy is driven by the principles of Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), and Samriddhi (prosperity). India strives to be a first responder in times of crises in its neighborhood and seeks to be a security provider in both traditional and non-traditional areas of security. India has worked to establish itself as a credible development partner in its neighborhood. India wishes to see a terror-free and deradicalized neighborhood. Focus on human security is vital for India to build a peaceful periphery.

CICA’s Voice of Asia Digest covers the visit of H.E. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay @KairatSarybay, Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) @CicaSecretariat to the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). During the visit, he highlighted ICWA’s proactive role in the CICA Think Tank Forum (TTF) and appreciated the Sapru House Library’s vast collection, particularly its resources on Indian diplomacy and the history of CICA Member States. 📄 Link to the publication👉 bit.ly/404IdMZ #CICA #ICWA #SapruHouse #IndianDiplomacy