Raisina Dialogue 2026 begins, global leaders gather for strategic talks

The 2026 edition of the Raisina Dialogue began in New Delhi on Thursday, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to deliberate on pressing geopolitical, economic, and technological challenges shaping the world order.Organised by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs, the three-day conference will run from March 5 to 7 under the theme “Samskara: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.” The forum aims to examine how technological disruption, strategic competition, and economic security are redefining global politics.Several international dignitaries have arrived in the Indian capital to participate in the discussions. These include Ian Borg, D. N. Dhungyel, Dhananjay Ramful, Barry Faure, and Vijitha Herath.The chief guest for this year’s dialogue is Finland President Alexander Stubb, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the high-level strategic forum.
Focus on technology and strategic competition
Deliberations during the conference will explore the growing tension between traditional geopolitical alliances and what analysts describe as a technopolar world, where global influence is increasingly determined by control over emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor supply chains, and digital infrastructure.According to information,the opening day will focus on the changing nature of global security and the rise of digital-first governance models. Experts will also discuss the future of transatlantic security and the evolving role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, particularly as European members consider strengthening defence capabilities amid uncertainties over long-term security commitments.Another session will highlight India’s Digital Public Infrastructure model and its potential to expand digital inclusion across developing economies.Climate geopolitics will also feature prominently, with policymakers examining ways to strengthen climate finance and protect green investments from geopolitical risks.
On the second day, the dialogue will shift toward global security dynamics and technological competition. One of the key sessions will examine deterrence dynamics in the Taiwan Strait and the geopolitical implications of global semiconductor dependence.Experts are also expected to analyse defence production gaps between Western nations and Russia’s wartime industrial mobilisation. Discussions will further address the evolving role of the United Nations Security Council, particularly amid growing unilateral actions by major powers.Parallel sessions will explore Africa’s demographic rise, Latin America’s expanding role in supplying critical minerals for the artificial intelligence-driven economy, and India’s strategic partnerships with Europe and Russia.Participants will also examine emerging risks linked to advanced artificial intelligence, including autonomous weapons systems, cyber vulnerabilities, and issues of digital sovereignty.
The final day will concentrate on the future global order and economic resilience. Sessions will examine maritime security challenges across the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, including threats to undersea communication cables and the growing use of autonomous maritime systems.Participants will also deliberate on economic coercion and supply chain security as trade increasingly intersects with geopolitical rivalries.Another key discussion will centre on global connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which is being viewed as a potential trade and logistics network linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.Across the three-day forum, India is expected to highlight its role as a bridge between advanced 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.