14/09/2026
“The world is not changed by walls we build,
but by bridges we choose to cross.”
Somewhere between borders and cultures, between policy and people, lies the real work of international engagement.
It was a privilege to participate as an expert panelist at the 35th Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland — one of Europe’s important platforms bringing together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, academics and strategic thinkers from across the world.
I had the opportunity to contribute to two conversations that could hardly be more relevant to our times:
“The End of Globalisation as We Know It. What Does This Mean for Us?”
and
“Social Capital as a Competitive Advantage of States.”
The first conversation explored a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical fragmentation, changing trade patterns and strategic competition. I shared an Indian perspective — one rooted in the enduring idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: the world as one family.
The second moved from geopolitics to something deeply human — trust. How societies, communities and institutions build the social capital that ultimately determines their resilience and competitiveness.
For me, these conversations are part of a much larger and continuing journey across international platforms — engaging with leaders and institutions on diplomacy, cybersecurity and security, sports diplomacy, social intelligence, climate change and the changing architecture of global cooperation.
What I value most is not simply being present at such forums, but the opportunity to bring perspectives from India into global conversations — and to listen, learn and build bridges in return.
In an increasingly fragmented world, perhaps our greatest responsibility is to keep the channels of dialogue open.
Borders may define nations.
But ideas, trust and relationships connect them. 🇮🇳🇵🇱🌍