Fourth day of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Conclave discusses governance, diplomacy

The fourth day of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar Conclave and Exhibition at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan focused on themes of governance, diplomacy and global institutional frameworks, with panel discussions and student-led sessions held throughout the day.

The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Exhibition remained open, presenting 12 principles drawn from ancient Indian thought. Model United Nations (MUN) sessions and Nalanda Vaad discussions were organised in the Student Engagement Zone, where students debated international issues and governance challenges.

The morning session featured a panel on Principles of Ancient Rajneeti and Sankraman Kaal at Mathuradas Hall.

Speakers included Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda International Foundation; Shashiprabha Kumar, Chairperson, Indian Institute of Advanced Study; Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh (Retd.); Sujit Dutta, Editor, National Security Journal; and Uma Vaidya, former Vice-Chancellor, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University.

The discussion examined concepts from ancient Indian political thought and their relevance to contemporary governance.

In the afternoon, a panel on Decolonising Global Governance brought together Alok Bansal of India Foundation; R. Balasubramanian of the Capacity Building Commission; Khathutshelo Emmanuel Thagwana of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation; and Rajiv Kumar, former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog. Niranjan Hiranandani, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Hiranandani Group, attended as a delegate.

 The panel discussed post-colonial power structures and multilateral institutions.

The day concluded with podcast sessions on startups and investments, education, bureaucracy, and culture and civilisation.

The conclave is being held at August Kranti Maidan from January 16 to 22. The exhibition is open from 9 am to 9 pm, with free public registration.