Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Evolution of India’s Polar Policies; Authors: Jawahar Baghat & Anurag Bisen; The Palgrave Macmillan, 2024. 297 p.

The book of Jawahar Bhagwat and Anurag Bisen devoted to evolution of the modern India’s Polar policies. A distinctive feature of this study is the authors' unique experience based on practical, government, and academic activities. Both are veteran submariners, commanders of different types of submarines for many years. After retirement J. Bhagwat received Ph.D from University of Mumbai (India) and from Saint-Petersburg State University (Russia). He has published in top Russian and foreign professional journals. A.

April 04, 2025 Books/Book Review

Interaction with the Delegation from Uganda

On 20 March, 2025, VIF hosted a delegation from Uganda led by Ambassador Jonny M. Muhindo, Head, Diaspora Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Uganda. Mr. Bagonza Mohammed, Head of Diaspora Affairs Unit, State House; Ms. Birungi Sophie, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Nkonge Timothy, Senior Principal Legal Officer, President’s Office; Mr. Nuwagaba Frank, Officer, Labour Migration and Social Inclusion (IOM); Ms. Bridget Nimungu, Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development and Mr. Hannington Kananura, First Secretary were also a part of the delegation.

March 28, 2025 Event Report

Prospects of India’s Engagement in the Indian Ocean Region in the Blue Economy Sector

On February, 10 2025 the Vivekananda International Foundation organised a talk by Professor V N Attri. The talk began with Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, delivering the opening remarks. Distinguished members of various institutions and think tanks participated in the meeting along with senior policy experts, and academicians who shared their invaluable knowledge.

March 26, 2025 Event Report

India-South Africa Relations

On January 20, 2025 the Vivekananda International Foundation organised a talk by High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Dr. Anil Sooklal. During the opening remarks Dr. Arvind Gupta highlighted the well accomplished and extensive career of High Commissioner Dr Anil Sooklal, and underlined the robust bilateral relationship shared between India and South Africa, emphasizing shared historical and cultural ties. Salient Points of the Discussion:

March 24, 2025 Event Report

Talk by Ambassador of Norway to India; India-Norway Collaboration on Climate Change, Arctic, Maritime, and Sustainable Blue Economy

On March 3, 2025, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted a talk by the Ambassador of Norway to India Amb. Ms. May-Elin Stener on India-Norway collaboration on Climate Change, Arctic, Maritime, and Sustainable Blue Economy. She spoke on how India’s engagement with Norway could be transformational while enabling greater Indian participation in the Arctic Council, touching upon the upcoming third India-Nordic Summit and how it could facilitate deeper India-Norway bilateral relations. She also touched upon the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

March 06, 2025 Event Report

State of the World: Emerging Trends and Way Forward - An Indian Perspective

Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF

The inaugural Vivekananda International Foundation’s (VIF) State of the World: Emerging Trends and Way Forward report offers an analytical and comprehensive analysis of global and regional developments, trends, and policy dynamics, through an Indian lens.

January 29, 2025 VIF Report

Book discussion on Changing Geopolitics of Global Communication

On January 2, 2025, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted a discussion on Professor Daya Thussu’s book, Changing Geopolitics of Global Communication. The session began with opening remarks by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director of VIF, followed by an overview of the book by Professor Thussu. Amb. Venkatesh Varma and Prof. Sujit Dutta contributed as discussants, exploring themes such as the transformation of global communication infrastructure, the weaponization of cyberspace, and the role of digital platforms in development.

January 13, 2025 Event Report

VIF Europe Expert Group Meeting- Panel Discussion India-EU FTA: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

On December 12, 2024, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), as a part of their Europe Expert Group Meeting, hosted a Panel Discussion on the India-EU FTA: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead. The session was chaired by Amb. Anil Wadhwa. The panelists included Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva, Chief Coordinator, DAKSHIN, RIS, and Professor, Centre for European Studies, JNU, and Prof. Arpita Mukherjee, Professor and Economic Policy Researcher at ICRIER. The session was also attended by Dr. Arvind Gupta and Lt. Gen. R.K. Sawhney.

December 13, 2024 Event Report

VIF-Habibie Centre Joint Seminar

On November 27, 2024 the Vivekananda International Foundation in collaboration with the Habibi Center, hosted a commemorative Indonesia joint seminar, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia. The seminar served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and reflection on the shared history, evolving partnerships, and future aspirations of the two nations. Esteemed delegates, scholars, and representatives from both countries participated in the discussions, included; Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF; Dr.

December 13, 2024 Event Report

Interaction with the Delegation from Kenya

On 13th November, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted an interaction with the delegation from Kenya led by Ms. Roseline K. Njogu, Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs. Other members of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs participating in the discussion were, Mr Boniface K Munzala, Director, Investments and Remittances, Ms Emma Gicheha, Director, Welfare & Rights, Mr William Maundu, Senior Economist, Third Secretaries-Mr Meisashi Ledama, Mr Philip Opwora, Ms Shukri Abdi Sirat along with the Kenya High Commissioner, Mr.

December 10, 2024 Event Report