Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) at Sapru House in New Delhi on September 15, 2026. The ICWA, which holds the status of an Institution of National Importance, marked this milestone as the Vice-President, who also serves as President of the Council, reflected on its legacy and future direction.
Key Points from the Address
The Vice-President congratulated External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs team for successfully hosting the BRICS Summit. He described the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration as a significant diplomatic achievement in a world marked by conflicts.
Speaking on India’s global standing, the Vice-President noted that the country has emerged as a strong voice for peace, progress and prosperity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He referenced India’s approach of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning the world is one family, citing examples such as Vaccine Maitri during the Covid crisis, disaster response efforts, and global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance.
The Vice-President highlighted India’s achievements in digital infrastructure, particularly the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), stating that transparent payment systems contribute to transparent governance. He noted India’s efforts in sharing technological and institutional capabilities with the Global South through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and educational partnerships, including the first Indian Institute of Technology campus established outside India in Zanzibar.
For ICWA’s future, the Vice-President outlined four priorities: strengthening research on India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East, Global South and Indo-Pacific policies; expanding work on cyber security, space, critical technologies and global supply chains; deepening engagement with universities and young scholars; and becoming a reliable knowledge repository on world affairs with an Indian perspective.
What This Means for You
ICWA’s expanded focus on emerging areas like cyber security and space technology may generate more research and policy discussions affecting India’s technological development and security strategy. If you are a student or researcher interested in international affairs, the Council’s emphasis on engaging young scholars suggests increased opportunities for participation in its programmes and initiatives. The institution’s planned evolution towards becoming a world-class centre for international studies by 2047 indicates its growing importance in shaping India’s foreign policy perspectives.