As the centre of gravity of global politics and economics continues to shift to the Indo-Pacific, Indian foreign policy is also undergoing a significant transformation. India as a central player in the Indo-Pacific is keen to shape the institutional and normative underpinnings of the emerging regional architecture. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech at the 2018 Shangri La Dialogue, articulated New Delhi’s vision for the Indo-Pacific as a “free, open, inclusive region, which embraces us all in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity.” In this special session, India in the Indo-Pacific: Drivers and Constraints, we will discuss and debate the factors that are shaping New Delhi’s policy approach towards the region as well as major constrains, both international and domestic, that affect India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, specifically focusing on the role regional and extra-regional powers are playing in New Delhi’s diplomatic and security choices.

About the speakers

Welcome Remarks

Professor Louise Tillin is the Director of King’s India Institute and Professor of Politics.

Moderator

Professor Harsh V Pant is a Professor of International Relations with King's India Institute. He is Director, Studies and Head of the Strategic Studies Programme at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.

Keynote Address

Dr Anupam Ray (Joint Secretary, Policy Planning & Research, Ministry of External Affairs, India)

Panel Discussion

Ms Indrani Bagchi, Diplomatic Editor, Times of India

Amb Gurjit Singh, Former Indian Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, the ASEAN and the African Union

Professor Shankari Sundararaman, Professor, Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Rear Admiral Sudarshan Shrikhande (Retd), former Head of Indian Naval Intelligence.