Raisina Dialogue 2026 begins in New Delhi, global leaders to discuss geopolitics and technology

The annual Raisina Dialogue begins in the national capital on Thursday, bringing together global leaders, policymakers and technology experts to deliberate on key geopolitical and economic challenges.

Organised by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the three-day conference will be held from March 5 to 7 under the theme “Samskara: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.”

The dialogue will focus on how technological disruptions, strategic competition and economic security are reshaping global politics.

Several international dignitaries have arrived in New Delhi to participate in the event. These include Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, Bhutan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade D. N. Dhungyel, and Mauritius’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Dhananjay Ramful.

Other participating leaders include Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Barry Faure and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.

The chief guest for this year’s dialogue is Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday.

Focus on technology and strategic competition

Discussions during the conference will examine the growing tension between traditional alliances and what analysts describe as a “technopolar” world, where global influence is increasingly shaped by control over artificial intelligence, semiconductor supply chains and digital infrastructure.

The opening day will focus on the changing nature of global security and the emergence of digital-first governance models. Experts will also discuss the future of transatlantic security and the evolving role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), particularly as European members are expected to strengthen their defence capabilities amid uncertainties over long-term security commitments.

Another session will highlight India’s Digital Public Infrastructure model and its potential role in expanding digital inclusion.

Climate geopolitics will also feature prominently, with policymakers discussing ways to strengthen climate finance and protect green investments from geopolitical tensions.

Security challenges and emerging technologies

On the second day, discussions will shift toward global security challenges and technological competition.

One of the major sessions will examine deterrence in the Taiwan Strait and the geopolitical implications of semiconductor dependence. Experts will also discuss defence production gaps between Western countries and Russia’s wartime industrial mobilisation.

Participants are also expected to debate the evolving role of the United Nations Security Council amid increasing unilateral actions by major powers.

Parallel sessions will explore Africa’s demographic rise, Latin America’s role in supplying critical minerals for the AI-driven economy and India’s strategic partnerships with Europe and Russia.

Experts will also address emerging risks related to advanced artificial intelligence, including autonomous systems, cyber vulnerabilities and issues of digital sovereignty.

Focus on connectivity and global economic resilience

The final day will focus on the future global order and economic resilience.

Sessions will discuss maritime security challenges across the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, including threats to undersea communication cables and the use of autonomous maritime systems.

Participants will also deliberate on economic coercion and supply chain security, particularly as trade relations increasingly intersect with strategic rivalries.

Another key topic will be global connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which is being seen as a potential trade and logistics corridor linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Across the discussions, India is expected to highlight its role as a bridge between developed economies and the Global South, while presenting its long-term development vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, aimed at transforming the country into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence.

Now in its eleventh edition, the Raisina Dialogue has emerged as one of the world’s leading strategic forums and is often compared with the Munich Security Conference for its influence on global policy debates.

-ANI