World Affairs Speakers

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.

Jairam Ramesh is a leading Indian politician and economist, currently a Member of Parliament. He formerly served as the Minister for Environment and Forests and for Rural Development. An acclaimed author of books including Green Signals and Intertwined Lives, he provides forthright insights into policy, development, and geopolitics. His keynotes offer expert analysis on the Indian Economy, the environment, and the strategic intersection of politics and market forces.

Som Mittal is the former Chairman and President of NASSCOM, under whose leadership the Indian IT industry surpassed the $100 billion milestone. He is a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Ahmedabad. He is credited with leading the successful integration and mergers between Compaq and HP. His keynotes provide senior executives and trade bodies with unparalleled insights into Business Transformation through Digital Technologies and the strategic imperative of Doing Business with and in India.

M. Damodaran is one of India's most influential public figures, a former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and a leader of major turnarounds at UTI and IDBI. He is the founder of Excellence Enablers Private Limited (EEPL), a corporate governance advisory firm, and the Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirapalli. His keynotes provide valuable insights into corporate governance, India’s economic framework, and effective public administration.

Juliette Foster is a veteran journalist, broadcaster, and moderator with over 30 years of experience at BBC, Sky News, and Bloomberg Television. She is the founder of Magnus Communications. Recognized as an expert in current affairs and for her ability to handle difficult on-air situations, she has moderated conferences for the OECD, UNDP, and PwC. Her keynotes inspire audiences on issues of diversity and leverage her extensive international news knowledge to challenge and engage business clients globally.

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.

Dr. Arun Shourie is a celebrated investigative journalist, a former Minister of Communications and IT for the Government of India, and a World Press Freedom Hero. A highly influential commentator on current and political affairs, he has authored 26 books on topics ranging from constitutional law to governance. His latest book, Preparing For Death, offers profound insights from major religions and philosophy to help people face life's ultimate challenge with equanimity.

Subir Gokarn is an economist and the former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He is a leading voice on economic policy, finance, and globalization. His work is a powerful counterpoint to a world of corporate shortsightedness, offering a clear guide to a more productive and fulfilling workplace. A compelling keynote speaker, Gokarn provides a clear and intellectual overview of the principles of economic policy, globalization, and the future of society. He speaks on leadership, innovation, and the importance of a more human-centered approach to business. His talks are ideal for leaders and innovators.

Anand Kumar is the founder of the revolutionary Super 30 programme, which provides free coaching to economically backward students for the IIT entrance exam. He is an award-winning Indian mathematician and teacher. By 2017, 396 of his 450 coached students had successfully entered the IITs, demonstrating the impact of his model. His keynotes, delivered at MIT and Harvard, focus on Social Entrepreneurship, Motivation, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through the lens of educational empowerment.

Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta is a leading political scientist, former President of the Centre for Policy Research, and a Harvard/Princeton-trained academic. He is an expert in political theory, constitutional law, and governance. He has held teaching posts at Harvard, JNU, and NYU School of Law. His influence extends to public policy, having served on the National Security Advisory Board and the Prime Minister's National Knowledge Commission.

Jayant Sinha is a former Minister of State for Finance and Civil Aviation in the Government of India and a successful venture capitalist with three unicorns to his credit. An alumnus of IIT Delhi and Harvard Business School, he is now a Visiting Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics (LSE). His keynotes provide deep, strategic insights into sustainable development, public finance, the AI revolution, and building resilient operations and supply chains.

T. N. Ninan is the Chairman and Editorial Director of Business Standard Ltd., and one of India’s most respected economic editors. He is a recipient of the B.D. Goenka award for excellence in journalism. He successfully edited Business Standard, The Economic Times, and Business World, driving rapid growth. His weekly column, “Weekend Ruminations,” is highly influential. He is a sought-after commentator on economic and business issues and was a recipient of the Nehru Fellowship.

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.

Palki Sharma Upadhyay is a journalist and editor who translates complex international affairs into clear, evidence-led narratives. After early work in public broadcasting and print, she anchored WION’s global news coverage and later held senior editorial roles at Network18/Firstpost. Her on-air style privileges sourcing and context over spectacle. As a moderator and commentator she helps audiences and leaders read geopolitical signals, assess media risk, and shape communications that withstand scrutiny.