The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (OPSA) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) have announced a partnership for the inaugural edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (2026).

The partnership was jointly announced by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, and President-ORF, Dr. Samir Saran, in a meeting held at the Office of PSA today. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Parvinder Maini (Scientific Secretary), Dr. Preeti Banzal (Adviser/ Scientist G) and Dr. B. Chagun Basha (Chief Policy Adviser) of Office of PSA, and Ms. Tanoubi Ngangom (Chief of Staff and Director – Programmes), and Ms. Pulkit Mohan (Head of Forums) of ORF. The SDI initiative aims to create a dedicated platform within the Raisina Dialogue to deliberate on the intersection of science, technology, and diplomacy.

PSA Professor Sood highlighted the pivotal role of science and technology in shaping global policies and diplomatic engagements, especially with the changing imperatives, choices and opportunities for India.

During the meeting, potential themes and the broad agenda for the SDI Initiative were discussed in detail. The initiative will focus on key dimensions of pursuing science and technology diplomacy in an era of strategic autonomy, governing disruptive and emerging technologies, and navigating the evolving realities of scientific and technological partnerships in a multipolar world. Contemporary issues such as technology control regimes, research security, and equitable participation in global standards-setting and regulatory processes will form important sub-themes of the initiative. Special emphasis will also be placed on engaging emerging scientific leaders and deep-tech innovators, providing them with opportunities to interact with and build partnerships with international counterparts.

The initiative aims to facilitate high-level deliberations among scientists, diplomats, policymakers, and industry leaders to generate actionable insights and contribute meaningfully to global conversations on science and technology diplomacy. It will feature leadership-level plenary sessions alongside focused expert roundtables addressing specific themes and pressing contemporary questions in science diplomacy. The insights emerging from this initiative are expected to enrich and advance global discourse, bringing renewed perspectives and value-added contributions, particularly from India and the Global South.

The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative is scheduled to be held alongside the upcoming edition of the Raisina Dialogue from 5-7 March 2026 in New Delhi.

 

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MJPS/ST

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