Book International Relations Speakers

Shivshankar Menon is the former National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary of India. He served as Ambassador to China, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College and a Richard Wilhelm Fellow at MIT, his books include Choices and India and Asian Geopolitics. His keynotes provide authoritative, firsthand insights into geopolitical risk, diplomacy, and the complex foreign policy challenges facing India and the world.

Lech Wałęsa is a Nobel Peace Laureate (1983), the first democratically elected President of Poland, and the founder of the independent trade union Solidarność. He is a global icon of the non-violent struggle against communism. His talks cover his inspiring journey, the political and economic transformation of Poland, and the necessity of building new structures for peaceful global collaboration in the 21st century. He advocates for democracy and human values, drawing on lessons from his successful, non-violent political negotiations.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the former Prime Minister of Denmark (the country's first woman PM) and the former CEO of Save the Children International. She is an expert on Global Economics, Geopolitics, and Social Justice. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Oversight Board for Facebook, advising on freedom of expression online. Her keynotes provide unique political and international expertise on Leadership, Gender Equality, and navigating the intersection of Global Markets and Political Trends.

Dr. Ian Bremmer is a globally recognized political scientist, founder of Eurasia Group (the world’s leading political risk firm), and Foreign Affairs Columnist for TIME magazine. He coined the influential term “G-Zero.” His books, including the bestsellers Us vs. Them and The Power of Crisis, are essential for navigating geopolitical recession and populism. His keynotes provide leaders with strategic foresight on managing risk in an unstable world, the geopolitical implications of AI, and understanding how political factors create new business winners and losers.

Anne Applebaum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and a Staff Writer for The Atlantic. Her landmark books, including the Pulitzer-winning Gulag: A History, Iron Curtain, and Red Famine, have been translated into over two dozen languages. As a leading commentator on global affairs, she provides vital, up-to-the-minute insights on geopolitical risk, disinformation narratives, and the rise of political populism. Her presentations offer a compelling analysis of the threats to democracy and the rule of law in an increasingly volatile world.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor is a veteran diplomat, a five-time Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Thiruvananthapuram, and a former UN Under-Secretary-General. He holds a Ph.D. from Tufts University. The author of over a dozen books, including the Pulitzer-affiliated The Great Indian Novel and the Sahitya Akademi Award-winning An Era of Darkness, he is a master wordsmith. His keynotes provide deep, engaging perspectives on world policy, Indian political climate, and the impact of social media on governance.

Dr. Moisés Naím is a Pulitzer-affiliated journalist, bestselling author of The End of Power, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. A former Executive Director of the World Bank and Minister of Trade and Industry for Venezuela, he brings high-level government and finance experience. His keynotes provide unmatched insights into Global Political Economy, International Relations, and the strategic challenges facing Latin American Politics today.

Erin Meyer is a professor at INSEAD and a leading expert on global leadership and intercultural communication. She is the author of the acclaimed book, The Culture Map, and the co-author of No Rules Rules with Reed Hastings. As a keynote speaker, Meyer provides a clear, data-driven framework for understanding cultural differences in business. Her talks equip global leaders and teams with the insights to communicate more effectively and build stronger, more collaborative organizations.

Dr. Parag Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor and the founder of FutureMap. He is the bestselling author of books like Connectography and The Future is Asian, offering deep, data-driven insights into global trends and geopolitical strategy. He is a frequent media commentator and TED speaker whose talks have been viewed millions of times. As a keynote speaker, he provides tailored briefings to corporate executives and government leaders on systemic risks, technological disruptions, and market entry strategies, helping organizations navigate the shift toward an increasingly multipolar and interconnected global order.

Dr. Finn Kydland is a Nobel Laureate in Economics (2004) and a prominent macroeconomist recognized for his pivotal contributions to the theory of business cycles and economic policy formulation. As a respected authority, his theories heavily influence today's macroeconomics. His keynotes offer audiences worldwide significant, data-driven insights on monetary and fiscal policy, the dynamics of the global economy, and the political economics that govern national and international markets.

Rigoberta Menchú is a Nobel Peace Laureate and a world-renowned activist who champions indigenous rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation. Her work led her to become a prominent figure in the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC). As a speaker, she shares her compelling life story, chronicled in her human document I, Rigoberta Menchú, which brought international attention to the struggles of the Maya people. Her insights are invaluable for audiences interested in non-violent resistance, human rights, and the power of grassroots social reform.

Jorge Guajardo is the former Ambassador of Mexico to China, a leading advisor on Global Risk, and an expert in International Relations and cybersecurity. A Georgetown and Harvard graduate, he provides strategic counsel on navigating market disruptions and barriers to entry, leveraging his diplomatic experience in Asia and his role as Consul General in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Ricardo Hausmann is a globally recognized economist, public official, and Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is known for directing the Growth Lab, guiding nations on development strategy and economic diversification. A former Minister of Planning for Venezuela and the first Chief Economist of the IDB, his expertise is informed by high-stakes policy roles. His books, including The Atlas of Economic Complexity, provide unique insights into economic development and the global financial system.

General V.P. Malik is an acclaimed war hero and the former Chief of the Army Staff, renowned for leading Operation ‘Vijay’ at Kargil in 1999. He is a recipient of the Param Vishishta Seva Medal, India’s highest national award for distinguished military services. He currently advises several corporate boards as an independent director, translating his deep experience in army strategy, discipline, and welfare into corporate leadership. His keynotes motivate audiences to strike at their goals like soldiers do, emphasizing principles of unyielding discipline, leadership, and strategic execution.

Francis Fukuyama is a leading political theorist and a fellow at Stanford University, widely known for his book The End of History and the Last Man. His expertise covers global political philosophy, liberal democracy, and the challenges posed by biotechnology and identity politics. As a former policy advisor to the U.S. State Department and a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics, he brings a unique blend of scholarly rigor and policy experience. His talks offer deep, contrarian insights on the state of democracy, the future of governance, and the threats facing liberalism today.

Shekhar Gupta is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of ThePrint and the former Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express. He is a highly influential journalist and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2009). His career is marked by seminal news-breaks, including exposing the Nellie massacre and reporting on the threat of Islamic fundamentalism before 9/11. His keynotes offer sharp, perceptive analysis on politics, governance, and business, informed by his decades of reporting from the social and political frontlines.

Deepak Bagla is the MD & CEO of Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of India. He is a key driver of the "Make in India" initiative. An alumnus of Georgetown University (International Diplomacy and Trade/Finance), his career includes executive roles at Citibank and 3i Private Equity. His keynotes offer deep, strategic insights on investment promotion, infrastructure financing, and the "Make in India" initiative for global investors.

M. J. Akbar is a leading Indian journalist, former editor of major dailies, and a critically acclaimed author. He is a prominent expert on Indian policy and South Asian geopolitics. His first book, India: The Siege Within, had a deep impact on India’s policy in Punjab and Kashmir. His latest book, Tinderbox, discusses identity crisis and class struggle in Pakistan. His keynotes offer incisive commentary on current and political affairs and the complex dynamics of the Indian subcontinent.