Raisina Dialogue: Jointly Inaugurated by Modi, Luxon
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon Monday, jointly inaugurated the tenth edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
The Raisina Dialogue, hosted annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), serves as a multilateral platform where heads of state, cabinet ministers, diplomats, corporate leaders, media professionals, and scholars come together to assess the evolving geopolitical landscape.
PM Modi warmly welcomed Luxon, calling it “a matter of immense joy to welcome him.” He described Luxon as “a youthful, dynamic and energetic leader,” and expressed his delight at having him as the Chief Guest at the Raisina Dialogue.
Luxon’s keynote address: In his keynote address, Luxon said India and New Zealand are so fortunate to live in one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world adding that the Indo-Pacific represents two-thirds of global economic growth in the coming years.
India itself is at the centre of this exciting economic future, the New Zealand Prime Minister said. “Our trade has diversified considerably from wood, thanks to the increased sophistication of your economy. Today, India is a critical source of pharmaceuticals and machinery for us. While we are a great tourism and education destination for you (India),” Luxon said.
Addressing the gathering, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Luxon’s perspective on the Indo-Pacific is valuable at a time when the world is debating the nature of the global order.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks
Minister Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand, stating that his “perspectives on the Indo-Pacific are particularly valuable at a time when the world is debating the nature of the global order….”
The world order, he said “is clearly undergoing a great churn. This requires leadership…It requires systems to think differently, not simply falling back on old assumptions to deal with new situations. And it requires honest conversations, fresh ideas, and creative solutions. The value proposition that Raisina offers in that regard is higher than ever….”
Indo-US partnership will grow: Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, US
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence in the US administration, expressed the confidence that the Indo-US partnership and the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump will grow in the coming years. She said, “Rooted in our shared values of peace and freedom, security and prosperity, I am confident that this partnership and friendship between our two nations and our leaders will continue to grow and strengthen.”
Gabbard said it was a warm experience to know the “rich history” and the “vibrant democracy” of India which serves as the foundation for a special bond between the two countries. “It is great for me to be back here in India. It’s been too long, but it’s always such a wonderful and warm experience knowing the rich history of this country and the vibrant democracy that really serves as the foundation for the special bond that has long existed between our two countries,” she added.
She said the theme of the conference couldn’t be better – people, peace, and planet. “Our shared vision for the future provides us with the opportunity to build more meaningful relationships and work together as we leave this conference towards the interests of the people, to protect our planet and to further the cause of peace,” she added.
Theme of the Dialogue
The theme of the 2025 edition is "Kālachakra - People, Peace and Planet”. Over the course of three days, decision makers and thought leaders of the world engaged each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars: (i) Politics Interrupted: Shifting Sands and Rising Tides; (ii) Resolving the Green Trilemma: Who, Where, & How; (iii) Digital Planet: Agents, Agencies and Absences; (iv) Militant Mercantilism: Trade, Supply Chains & the Exchange Rate Addiction; (v) The Tiger’s Tale: Rewriting Development with a New Plan; and (vi) Investing in Peace: Drivers, Institutions, & Leadership.
Over 3500 participants from about 125 countries joined the Dialogue in-person, and the proceedings were viewed by millions across the world on various digital platforms.
Remarks by MoS Pabitra Margherita: countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) occupy a significant position in India’s global outreach efforts
Earlier, the Minister of State said “we in India believe that in order to build an inclusive and just order, it is imperative to forge strong partnerships with the developing world. So naturally, countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) occupy a very significant position in our global outreach efforts. We share similar aspirations, and support a multipolar world order that caters to the needs of the Global South.
“India has been proactively engaging with this dynamic region…..There is a great potential for boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment and fostering robust people-to-people ties between India and LAC.” India, he said “is well-positioned to be a key partner in this region’s growth story.”
India’s total trade with LAC stood at USD 35.73 bln in FY 2023-2024. “There is an interest in expanding the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement between India and MERCOSUR. India is the fifth-largest trading partner of Brazil and Argentina. In the first-ever acquisition of lithium resources abroad, India signed an agreement with Argentina to lease five lithium blocks for exploration, and eventual extraction.”
Latin America with its rich reserves of oil, natural gas and minerals, the MOS said “can advance India’s goal of energy security and diversification. Our cooperation in biofuels and ethanol production is opening new pathways for sustainable energy solutions. There has been a growing LAC participation in India-led initiatives like International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE, and Global Biofuel Alliance.
“India can play a meaningful role in creating and implementing technology solutions such as digital public infrastructure. Trinidad and Tobago became the first CARICOM country to adopt UPI. Work is underway for the promotion of UPI in Guyana, Peru, Uruguay and Jamaica.
“India is funding development projects, especially in the SMEs sector in Suriname, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominican Republic and Barbados. India provided a LoC of USD 23.37 mln for supply of two aircrafts to Guyana. A major power transmission project in Nicaragua is expected to be completed between 2025 and 2026.”
