Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Webinar on Post-Election India and Sri Lanka: Implications on Bilateral Relations and the Foreign Policy Front

On 15 October, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) jointly with Pathfinder Foundation (PF), Sri Lanka organized a virtual webinar on “Post-Election India and Sri Lanka: Implications on Bilateral Relations and the Foreign Policy Front.” From the VIF side, the Panel for the discussion consisted of Amb. (Retd.) Ashok Kantha, Former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka; Prof. Sreeradha Datta; and Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF (moderator). From the PF side, the panel included Amb. (Retd.) Bernard Goonetilleke; Amb. (Retd.) Ahmed A. Jawad; Amb. (Retd.) Sumith Nakandala; Prof.

October 22, 2024 Event Report

Discussion on the Developing Situation in Bangladesh

On 13 September, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized a discussion on the “Developing Situations in Bangladesh.” Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, delivered the opening remarks, followed by brief observations from Amb Veena Sikri, Former Indian High commissioner to Bangladesh; Amb Kanwal Sibal; Amb Pankaj Saran, Former Indian High commissioner to Bangladesh; and Lt Gen (Dr) PC Nair about the current situation in Bangladesh. This was accompanied by an interactive question-and-answer session.

September 20, 2024 Event Report

Interaction with Dr. Nishan de Mel, the Executive Director of Verité Research, Colombo, Sri Lanka

On 4 March, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized an interaction with Dr. Nishan de Mel, the Executive Director of Verité Research, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Lt. General R. K. Sawhney (Retd.) delivered the opening remarks, followed by a brief observation from Ambassador Ashok Kantha. Dr. Nishan De Mel gave his remarks highlighting the internal dynamics of Sri Lanka and its impact on India-Sri Lanka relations. The presentation was accompanied by discussions, with a special focus on what should be the way forward for India- Sri Lanka relations. Finally, Lt. General R. K.

March 06, 2024 Event Report

VIF Delegation’s Visit to Colombo and Interaction with Pathfinder Foundation

A VIF delegation led Dr. Arvind Gupta, comprising of Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney and Dr Sreeradha Datta visited Colombo during 10-14 January. VIF’s think tank partner, the Pathfinder Foundation hosted the delegation and organized many of the interactions and meetings. The delegation met a cross section of officials, political leaders and dignitaries and subject experts too.

January 17, 2023 Event Report

VIF-Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka Bilateral Dialogue

The online bilateral dialogue held on 11 Oct 2022 was co- chaired by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director Vivekananda International Foundation, India and former Amb. Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman Pathfinder Foundation, Sri Lanka. The dialogue was attended by speaker Amb Ashok Kantha, Admiral Satish Soni (retd), Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney (retd), former Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, and Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena (retd) and scholars and practitioners from both sides. These are some of the salient points brought out by the Chairs, speakers and ensuing discussion.

December 21, 2022 Event Report

VIF Discussion on Recent Developments in Sri Lanka

VIF held a discussion with domain experts on the above theme.

September 08, 2022 Event Report

Talk on Evolving Situation in Sri Lanka

The Vivekananda International Foundation organized a talk on Economic Situation in Sri Lanka on 18 May 2022. The talk was chaired by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda International Foundation

June 16, 2022 Event Report

Discussion on "Implications of Political & Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka"

On the 20th of May, 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation organized a discussion on the 'Implications of the Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka'. The session began with Dr Ganesh Wignaraja, Senior Research Associate at the Overseas Development Institute in London, presenting the causes and consequences of Sri Lanka's current economic predicament. This was followed by a series of remarks by discussants Ambassador Ashok K. Kantha, Director at the Institute of Chinese Studies at Delhi, and Shri PM Hebilkar, Former Special Secretary at the Government of India.

June 09, 2022 Event Report

Developments in Sri Lanka and Its Implications

Vivekananda International Foundation organized a virtual meeting on 11 April 2022 in the episode of the Strategic Discussion Series with the theme "Development in Sri Lanka and its implementation". The welcome address was given by Lt General R K Sawhney. During this discussion, keynote speakers were Mr Nitin Gokhale, Amb. Ashok Kantha, Mr PM Heblikar, Akshay Mathur and a few other speakers were present.

April 22, 2022 Event Report

Talk on China in Rajapakse 2.0: Ports and Geo-Political Challenges

On 02 August 2021, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a talk by Prof Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, author and Senior Advisor on Security and Geopolitics, Sri Lanka, on "China in Rajapakse 2.0: Ports and Geo-Political Challenges in Sri Lanka”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, welcomed Prof Asanga Abeyagoonasekera and delivered the opening remarks. He stated that China-Sri Lanka relations are closely observed by India, as there are concerns in India about the scope of that relationship.

August 05, 2021 Event Report