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Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida in Collaboration with
Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and MGIMO University (Russia)
Organising a three-day International Conference on Southeast Asia and the Global South: Evolving Security, Sustainability & Strategic Dynamics in a Multipolar World
Conference Date: 16th to 18th September 2026 | Mode: Offline Mode

 


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Plenary Sessions

  • Plenary Session 1: The Global South in a Multipolar World: Power Redistribution and Emerging Hierarchies
  • Plenary Session 2: Indo-Pacific Strategic Frameworks: FOIP, Quad, BIMSTEC, IORA, and IPOI in Shaping Regional Order
  • Plenary Session 3: Sustainability and Human Security in the Global South: Climate, Energy, and Development Futures

Technical Sessions

  • Technical Session 1: ASEAN Centrality and Regional Institutional Architecture
  • Technical Session 2: Strategic Autonomy in the Global South: Policy Choices, Alignment Strategies, and Partnership Models
  • Technical Session 3: China’s Expanding Footprint in Southeast Asia and Regional Responses
  • Technical Session 4: India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and Engagement with Southeast Asia (Act East Policy)
  • Technical Session 5: Maritime Security, Sea Lanes, and the Blue Economy in the Indo-Pacific
  • Technical Session 6: Non-Traditional Security in the Global South: Health, Migration, and Transnational Risks
  • Technical Session 7: Climate Change and Environmental Governance in the Global South
  • Technical Session 8: Energy Security and Green Transitions in Emerging Economies in Southeast Asia
  • Technical Session 9: Connectivity, Infrastructure Diplomacy, and Supply Chain Resilience
  • Technical Session 10: Trade, Investment Flows, and Regional Economic Integration in Southeast Asia and the Global South
  • Technical Session 11: Digital Geopolitics, Cyber Security, and Emerging Technologies in the Indo-Pacific
  • Technical Session 12: Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, and Cultural Connectivity in the Global South

 

About the Conference

     The contemporary international system is witnessing a significant transformation marked by the gradual shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world order. In this evolving landscape, Southeast Asia and the Global South have emerged as pivotal regions influencing global political, economic, and strategic trajectories. Once perceived as peripheral actors, these regions are now central to discussions on global governance, sustainability, and security.

     Southeast Asia occupies a uniquely strategic position at the intersection of major maritime trade routes and geopolitical contestations. The region has increasingly become a focal point of great power engagement, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific, where competing visions of order coexist alongside regional aspirations for stability, autonomy, and development. At the same time, the broader Global South is asserting itself through collective platforms and South–South cooperation mechanisms, seeking to redefine global hierarchies and advocate for more equitable and inclusive governance structures.

     Historically, global power dynamics were largely concentrated in the Atlantic region, dominated by Western economies and institutions. However, the rise of emerging economies across Asia, Africa, and Latin America has contributed to a redistribution of power, thereby reshaping global interactions. This transformation is accompanied by increasing interdependence in trade, investment, and technological exchange, as well as intensifying strategic competition.

     Beyond traditional geopolitical considerations, the discourse on security has expanded to include non-traditional dimensions such as climate change, environmental sustainability, food and water security, energy transitions, and digital governance. These issues are particularly significant for Southeast Asia and the Global South, where vulnerabilities are often more pronounced and require coordinated, multilateral responses.

     Cultural exchanges and people-to-people linkages further reinforce these evolving dynamics. Migration, diaspora networks, and transnational cultural flows contribute to shaping identities, perceptions, and diplomatic engagements across regions. In this context, understanding the intersection of security, sustainability, and strategic dynamics necessitates a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach.

     The conference aims to critically examine these emerging trends by bringing together scholars, policymakers, diplomats, industry experts, and students to engage in meaningful dialogue. It seeks to provide a platform for analysing the challenges and opportunities that define Southeast Asia and the Global South in a rapidly changing international order, while also fostering collaborative approaches to address shared concerns.

     A significant highlight of this edition is the collaboration with MGIMO University as a Knowledge Partner, thereby enriching the discourse with a broader Eurasian perspective and strengthening international academic engagement.

 

Objectives of the Conference

  • To examine the evolving strategic dynamics of Southeast Asia within the broader context of the Global South.
  • To analyse the role of emerging economies in shaping a multipolar global order.
  • To explore traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats, and climate risks.
  • To analyse sustainability concerns, including climate governance, energy transitions, and environmental resilience.
  • To understand the impact of major power competition on regional stability and cooperation.
  • To highlight the importance of South–South cooperation in fostering inclusive development.

Conference Objectives

About the Conference

     The contemporary international system is witnessing a significant transformation marked by the gradual shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world order. In this evolving landscape, Southeast Asia and the Global South have emerged as pivotal regions influencing global political, economic, and strategic trajectories. Once perceived as peripheral actors, these regions are now central to discussions on global governance, sustainability, and security.

     Southeast Asia occupies a uniquely strategic position at the intersection of major maritime trade routes and geopolitical contestations. The region has increasingly become a focal point of great power engagement, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific, where competing visions of order coexist alongside regional aspirations for stability, autonomy, and development. At the same time, the broader Global South is asserting itself through collective platforms and South–South cooperation mechanisms, seeking to redefine global hierarchies and advocate for more equitable and inclusive governance structures.

     Historically, global power dynamics were largely concentrated in the Atlantic region, dominated by Western economies and institutions. However, the rise of emerging economies across Asia, Africa, and Latin America has contributed to a redistribution of power, thereby reshaping global interactions. This transformation is accompanied by increasing interdependence in trade, investment, and technological exchange, as well as intensifying strategic competition.

     Beyond traditional geopolitical considerations, the discourse on security has expanded to include non-traditional dimensions such as climate change, environmental sustainability, food and water security, energy transitions, and digital governance. These issues are particularly significant for Southeast Asia and the Global South, where vulnerabilities are often more pronounced and require coordinated, multilateral responses.

     Cultural exchanges and people-to-people linkages further reinforce these evolving dynamics. Migration, diaspora networks, and transnational cultural flows contribute to shaping identities, perceptions, and diplomatic engagements across regions. In this context, understanding the intersection of security, sustainability, and strategic dynamics necessitates a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach.

     The conference aims to critically examine these emerging trends by bringing together scholars, policymakers, diplomats, industry experts, and students to engage in meaningful dialogue. It seeks to provide a platform for analysing the challenges and opportunities that define Southeast Asia and the Global South in a rapidly changing international order, while also fostering collaborative approaches to address shared concerns.

     A significant highlight of this edition is the collaboration with MGIMO University as a Knowledge Partner, thereby enriching the discourse with a broader Eurasian perspective and strengthening international academic engagement.

 

Objectives of the Conference

  • To examine the evolving strategic dynamics of Southeast Asia within the broader context of the Global South.
  • To analyse the role of emerging economies in shaping a multipolar global order.
  • To explore traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats, and climate risks.
  • To analyse sustainability concerns, including climate governance, energy transitions, and environmental resilience.
  • To understand the impact of major power competition on regional stability and cooperation.
  • To highlight the importance of South–South cooperation in fostering inclusive development.

Program Schedule

Day 1 – Wednesday, 16th September 2026

Day 1

Wednesday

Inaugural Session:

09:30 AM -11:05 AM (IST)

F3 Seminar Hall

Date

16/09/2026

Time

Topic and Speaker (s)

09.30 am– 09.35 am

EMCEE by AIIS Students 

Lamp lighting (Saraswati Vandana)

09.35 am– 09.40 am

Introduction of Conference Theme and Welcome Address 

by Conference Chair

Prof. (Dr.) Nagalaxmi M. Raman

Director & Head, AIIS, 

Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India

09.40 am – 09.50 am

Keynote Speaker 

09.55 am – 10.05 am

Guest of Honour

10.05 am – 10:15 am

Special Address
Dr. Suzanna Adamyants 

PhD in Law, Political Scientist, International Observer 

Associate Professor at the Faculty of Governance and Politics

MGIMO University, Russia

10.15 am – 10:25 am

Distinguished Speaker 

10.25 am – 10.35 am

Address by Chief Guest  

10.45 am – 10.50 am

Inspirational Address 

Prof.  (Dr.) Balvinder Shukla, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India

TEA BREAK: 10:50 AM -11:00 AM (IST)

Day 1

Plenary Session I: The Global South in a Multipolar World: Power Redistribution and Emerging Hierarchies 

F3 Seminar Hall

11:00 AM -01:00 PM (IST)

Chair/Moderator

Amb. Prof. Sanjay Bhattacharya, Diplomat, Professor, Amb to Switzerland, Turkey, Egypt, Secretary Ministry of External Affairs, BRICS Sherpa

Panelist I:  

Dr. Maria Ivanova, Associate Professor, Deputy Head of the Department of Public Administration, PhD in Political Science, MGIMO University, Russia

Panelist II:  

Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Director, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India

Panelist III:  

Dr. C Raja Mohan, Professor, Policy Institute, India

Panelist IV:  

 

Panelist V:

 

Panelist VI:

Prof. Sachin Kumar Verma, Director General, RIS

Panelist VII:

 

LUNCH BREAK: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) 

Day 1

Parallel Technical Sessions: 1 & 2

02:00 PM-03:40 PM (IST)

Technical Session – 1

 ASEAN Centrality and Regional Institutional Architecture

F3 Seminar Hall

Technical Session – 2

Strategic Autonomy in the Global South: Policy Choices, Alignment Strategies, and Partnership Models

F3 MDP

Time

EMCEE by AIIS Students

02:00 PM-03:30 PM

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. (Dr.) J M Moosa, Centre for African Studies, JNU

Co-Chair: Dr. Shristi Pukhrem, Deputy Director (Academics & Research)  

India Foundation

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Badrul Alam

Co-Chair: Dr. Divya Anand,  Associate Dean (UG) and Assistant Professor at IILM, New Delhi 

02:00 PM-03:30 PM

Mr. Nishant Dwivedi
Banaras Hindu University

“Navigating Strategic Autonomy: ASEAN's Role in a Multipolar Indo-Pacific”

Mr. Tigran Adamyants, MGIMO University, Russia

Chief Expert and Advisor on India,

Subject: Submission of Theses on Russia-India Military-Technical & Space Cooperation

02:00 PM-03:30 PM

Mr. Shyam Manohar Prajapati,University of Allahabad

"The strategic role of Indi-ASEAN maritime cooperation in shaping the emerging blue geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific”

Captain (IN) (Dr.) Harinder Singh, PhD, Consultant, Corporate Governance Specialist

Malacca Dilemma and Myth of Monolithic Alignments: Deconstructing Strategic Autonomy through the Lens of ‘Maritime Goodwill Curve’

 

02:00 PM-03:30 PM

Mr. Kuheli Bar, BHU

“ASEAN Centrality in the Midst of Rising Minilateralism – India’s Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Order (2014-2025”

Mr. Avishesh Pradhan, AIIS

India’s Multipolar Diplomacy and Strategic Autonomy in the Global South (2014-2026)

02:00 PM-03:30 PM

Dr S Venkata Krishnan, Pandit Deendayal Energy University

ASEAN’s Interregionalism in the Indian Ocean Region – An Expanding Agenda

Ms. Swati Awana, Gautam Buddha University

Reimagining Regional Order from a Global South Perspective: Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, and India's Cultural Statecraft in Southeast Asia
 

Ms. Shikha Singh, University of Allahabad

Navigating Great Power Duopoly: India’s Geopolitical Posture and Issue-Based Partnerships in a Contested Indo-Pacific

Ms. Vasudha Dwivedi, BHU 

Minilateralism: Middle Power adaptations in the Indo-Pacific

02:00 PM-03:30 PM

  

Dr Suwa Lal Jangu, Mizoram University

BRICS – A Quest for the Multilateralism: A Global South Perspective

03:30 PM-03:40 PM

Q & A Session

Day 2 – Thursday, 17th September 2026

Parallel Technical Sessions: 3 & 4

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM (IST)

Technical Session – 3: 

China’s Expanding Footprint in Southeast Asia and Regional Responses

F3 Seminar Hall

Technical Session – 4: 

India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and Engagement with Southeast Asia (Act East Policy)

F3 MDP

Time

EMCEE by AIIS Students

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Rumki Basu, Head, Centre for Public Policy and Governance in the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi

Co-Chair: Major General Sudhakar Jee, VSM (Retired)

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Ranjana Mukopadhyay, Head, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi

Co-Chair: Dr. Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Dr. Madhukar Shyam, Ms. Manya Singhal & Ms. Kanika Rawal, Christ University, Delhi

China’s Strategic Influence in Southeast Asia: Regional Responses and Emerging Alignments

Mr Kiratulan, CCSU

ASEAN Centrality and India's Indo-Pacific Vision: Assessing the Role of Act East Policy (2014–2025)

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Ms. Rachna Devi & Dr Bagisha Suman, BHU

Between Dragon and Elephant: India's Act East Policy to Balance Strategic Stakes and Regional Stability in Southeast Asia

Ms. Riya Sharma, University of Allahabad

Managing Asymmetry: India’s Hedging Doctrine Toward China in the Indo-Pacific

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Ms. Namrata Yadav, BHU

Redefining Regional Equilibrium: The Global South and Non-Traditional Security Realities in Southeast Asia

Mr. Abhishek Chaudhary, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra

"India, Australia and ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific: Prospects for Strategic Trilateral Cooperation in a Multipolar World"

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Dr. Saranya Antony A, SRM University

"Beyond the Belt and Road: China's New Strategy and Regional Diplomacy in Southeast Asia"

Ms. Sara Chaudhary, AIIS

India's Indo-Pacific Vision and Southeast Asia: Assessing a Decade of Act East Policy

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Brigadier Saminder Singh, AIDSS

“Chinese Government and People's Opinion About India In Light of Indian Growing Interest In South East Asia”

Mr. Devansh Dwivedi, Amity University, Gurugram

India's Indo-Pacific Vision and Engagement with Southeast Asia (ActEast Policy)

10:50 AM – 11:00 AM

Maj Sumeet Tokas, AIDSS

China’s Expanding Footprint in Southeast Asia: An Information Warfare Perspective, Regional Responses and India’s Strategic Framework

Dr. Manish Kumar Yadav & Adv. Suraj Yadav, Gurugram, Haryana, India

“Strategic Autonomy and Multi-Alignment in the Global South: India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and Engagement with Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy”

10:50 AM – 11:00 AM

  

Mr. Keshav Babu B, Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh

“India's Space Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: Strategic Opportunities in the Era of Chinese Space Expansion”
 

Q & A Session

TEA BREAK:  11:00AM - 11:10 AM(IST)
 

Day 2

Thursday

Parallel Technical Sessions: 5 & 6

11:10 AM – 12:30 PM (IST)

Date

17/09/2026

Technical Session – 5: 

Maritime Security, Sea Lanes, and the Blue Economy in the Indo-Pacific

F3 Seminar Hall

Technical Session – 6: 

Non-Traditional Security in the Global South: Health, Migration, and Transnational Risks

F3 MDP

Time

EMCEE by AIIS Students

11:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Keynote Speaker & Chair:  Dr. L. R. Bishnoi, (Rtd. IPS ) and former Director General of Police (DGP), Meghalaya

Co- Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Aslam Khan, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Satish Kumar, IGNOU

Co- Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Ranjan Debata, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, JNU

11:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Shailja Singh Yadav, Banaras Hindu University

India's Maritime Security Strategy in the Multipolar World Order: Opportunities and Challenges.

Ms. Antima Gautam, University of Allahabad

Human Security in the Global South: Intersections of Health, Migration, and Transnational Risks

11:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Mr. Sriyansh Mohanty, Sharda University

Neo-Middle Power or Junior Partner? India's Indo-Pacific Vision and the Uncertain Future of QUAD

Col Nalin Herath RSP, South Asia Sustainability & Security Research Institute(SASSRI)

Hybrid Threats and Human Security in the Global South: Addressing Transnational Risks in a Multipolar World

11:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Mr. Adesh Chaudhary, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra

Strengthening India-Asean Maritime Cooperation for a Sustainable Indo-Pacific

Mr. Aaqib Nazir Wagay & Mr. Nasir Mustafa, Aligarh Muslim University

India’s Evolving Security Architecture: Health as a National Security Problem

11:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Dr. Kamna Tiwary, Amity University, Patna

South Asian region in the Indo-Pacific Framework

Mr. Prakash Jangid, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India

The role of Non-State Actor’s in Global Conflicts: A study of the rise of Hezbollah

11:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Mr. Rishit Vinu, University of Kerala

"India’s Act East Policy: Maritime Security and Green Infrastructure in ASEAN".

Ms. Ambika Gupta and  Dr. Nancy Puri, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

India–China Relations: Non-traditional Security Challenges and Prospects in the Global South

12:50 PM – 01:00 PM

Mr. Debjit Dey, AIIS

"Is Space Still a Commons? India's Orbital Maritime Awareness and Slow Weaponisation of Outer Space."

Ms. Shivangi Dikshit and Dr. Nancy Puri, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Climate-Induced Migration and Human Security in South Asia: An Analysis of India and Bangladesh

01:10 pm

  

Mr. Punit and Dr. Nancy Puri, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Irregular Migration and Border Governance: Rethinking Security in the Global South
 

Q & A Session

Day 2

Thursday

Parallel Technical Sessions: 7 & 8 Date: 17/09/2026       
12:30 PM – 02:00 PM (IST)     
 

Technical Session – 7: 

Climate Change and Environmental Governance in the Global South

F3 Seminar Hall

Technical Session – 8: 

Energy Security and Green Transitions in Emerging Economies in Southeast Asia

F3 MDP

Time

EMCEE by AIIS Students

Time

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. (Dr.) Suman Sharma, Joint Director, Women ́s Studies and Development Centre, University of Delhi.

Co-Chair: Dr. Maria Aranova, Associate Professor, Deputy Head of the Department of Public Administration, PhD in Political Science, MGIMO University, Russia

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Dr. Ayanjit Sen, Chief Advisor, Red Lantern Analytica

Co-Chair: Ms. Simran Rathore, Global Eye Intelligence

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Mr. Nihar Ranjan Mahapatro, Berhampur, Odisha

"When Hedging Fails: Climate Dependence and the Erosion of Strategic Autonomy among the Small Island States in the Indo-Pacific"

Ms. Deepika Verma, University of Allahabad

Energy Security and Green Transitions in Emerging Economies: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Ms. Komal Karwa, AISS

Gendered Vulnerabilities in Non-Traditional Security: Assessing Human Trafficking and Migration Corridors between South and Southeast Asia

Dr. Gayathri Pramod, Marwadi University, Gujarat.

Role of Non-State Actors in Energy Security and Pipeline Diplomacy with Special Reference to the Red Sea Crisis

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Mr. Anupam Singh, BHU

Hydro-Hegemony and Water Conflict in South Asia

Ms. Ashu Mehlawat, AIIS

The Blue-Green Frontier: Reconfiguring Regional Security and Financing in the New Global Order

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Dr. Atrayee Banerjee, Basanti Devi College, Kolkata, India

Waves of Vulnerability: Climate Crisis, Environmental Governance, and the Undoing of Coastal Livelihoods in the Bakkhali Region, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Ms. Niharika Gogoi, Amity University Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

“Energy Security and Green Transitions in Emerging Economies: India's Leadership in Advancing Sustainable Energy Governance in the Global South”

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Ms. Venika Rana, ASFL

"From Policy to Practice: Examining the Environmental Governance Implementation Gap in India"

  

10.50am – 11.00am

Q & A Session

LUNCH BREAK: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM (IST)

Day 2

Thursday

Plenary Session II: Indo-Pacific Strategic Frameworks: FOIP, Quad, BIMSTEC, IORA, and IPOI in Shaping Regional Order

F3 Seminar Hall

Date

17/09/2026

Time: 02:45pm-05:00pm (IST)

Chair/Moderator

Amb. Anil Trigunayat, Former Ambassador of India & Distinguished Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)

Panelist I:  

H.E. Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General, BIMSTEC

Panelist II:  

H.E. Ambassador Sanjiv Ranjan,Secretary General, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Panelist III:  

H.E. Mr. Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India

Panelist IV:  

 

Panelist V:  

 

Panelist VI:  

 

TEA: 04:00 PM(IST)

Day 3 – Friday, 18th September 2026

Parallel Technical Sessions: 9 & 10

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM (IST)

Technical Session – 9: 

Connectivity, Infrastructure Diplomacy, and Supply Chain Resilience 

 

F3 Seminar Hall

Technical Session – 10: 

Trade, Investment Flows, and Regional Economic Integration in Southeast Asia and the Global South 

F3 MDP

Time

EMCEE by AIIS Students

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Ms. Maya Sherman, Innovation Attaché at the Israeli Embassy in India

Co-Chair: Mr. Sunil David, Digital Technology Consultant, Ex-Regional Director (IOT)

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Dr. Nausheen Nizami, Head and Associate Professor, Department of Economics, School of Liberal Studies, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar

Co-Chair: Dr. Devi Roy, Guest Faculty, Kalindi College NCWEB

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Ms. Bagmita Borthakur, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus

"Northeast India in the Indo-Pacific: Examining the Convergence of External Partnerships"

Dr. Saheli Bose, BHU

ASEAN-India FTA: Reasons to navigate through ‘commons’

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Mr. Aaditya Sharma, Pondicherry University 

The Rise of Minilateralism in the Global South beyond Great-Power Competition

Ramya Singh 

Act East Policy as an Instrument of Indian Economic Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific Region

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Mr.Yash Seela

The Maritime Digital Chokepoints: Security Vulnerabilities to Undersea Cables in Indo-Pacific region

Ms. Nisha Sisodia, University of Delhi

Urbanisation without Industrialisation: The Political Economy of Small Cities in North-East India

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Dr. Shantanu Sharma, Amity University, Bengaluru

"Chokepoint Sovereignty: Southeast Asia's Maritime Vulnerabilities, India's SAGAR Initiative, and the Critical Minerals Weaponisation Dilemma in the Global South's Multipolar Transition"

Dr. Aastha Agarwal, Government College, Haryana

"Can Soft Power Deliver? Development Partnerships and the Limits of India's Global South Leadership"

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Mr. Adithyan P., AIIS

"Digital Arteries Under Threat: Undersea Cable Vulnerability, Hybrid Warfare, and the Architecture of Indo-Pacific Security Competition"

Ms. Khusboo Goel, University of Delhi

“The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and Strategic Autonomy in the Global South: ASEAN’s Security Model in a Multipolar World”

09:30 AM- 11:00 AM

Col. Sunil Kumar Sharma, AIDSS

“Leveraging Defence Research and Development for Strategic Autonomy: India’s Path towards Self-Reliance in Defence Production”

Ms. Sonam Chikara, University of Delhi

Strategic Autonomy in the Global South: Policy Choices, Alignment Strategies, and Partnership Models  

10.50am – 11.00am

Q & A Session

Q & A Session

TEA: 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM (IST)

Time: 11:15 am- 01:00 Pm

Technical Session – 11: Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, and Cultural Connectivity in the Global South 

F3 Seminar Hall

Technical Session – 12: Digital Geopolitics, Cyber Security, and Emerging Technologies in the Indo-Pacific

F3 MDP

Time

EMCEE by AIIS Students
 

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Prof. Nawal K Paswan, Professor, Sikkim University

Co-Chair: Dr. Sandeep Tripathi, Founding Director of the Forum for Global Studies

Keynote Speaker & Chair: Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh, Director, Red Lantern Analytica

Co-Chair: Wing Commander Sonika Tanwar (veteran), CEO and Founder, Digitruce

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Dr. Suzana Adamyants, MGIMO, University of Rissia

Diplomatic & Academic Narrative

Mr. Ajay M. Reje , Christ University, Bangalore

Huawei and the Politics of Digital Infrastructure Acceptance across ASEAN

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Mr. Amrutha C.G, Central University of Kerala

Projecting Strategic Autonomy through Soft Power Diplomacy: India’s Re- engagement with Afghanistan under Taliban Rule

Barshan Karmakar

Interoperability Partnerships to expand strategic footprints: How India is emerging as the first option of support for sustaining Russian-origin military hardware?

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Ms. Pareza Noushad, AIIS

From Tradition to Global: Dance as a Form of Cultural Diplomacy in the Global South

Mr. Jasveer Singh

"Reconceptualization Of India’s Strategic Culture: Looking Through The 4th Generation Lens"

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Mr. Akash Chillar

From Cultural Connectivity to Strategic Convergence: India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and the Act East Policy in Southeast Asia

Ms. Isha Singh & Col (Dr.) Kaushik Ray, AIDSS

BeiDou and Eyes in the Sky: China's Dual-Use Space Infrastructure as a Two-Track Coercive Architecture in Southeast Asia

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Ms. Divashni Gandas, AIIS

India’s Public Diplomacy and Soft Power in the Global South: Cultural Connectivity and Strategic Engagement (2014–2026)

Mr. Vidushi Sehrawat & Brig. (Dr.) Anand Kumar Tewari, AIDSS

Harnessing Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) for Strategic Awareness in Southeast Asia and the Global South: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Multipolar Imperative
 

Ms. Himani Atri, CCSU, Meerut

India’s Notion of Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, and Cultural Connectivity in the Global South

Ms Nivedita Jain and Manya Singh, AIIS

Securing the digital seabed: undersea cable infrastructure, sustainability, and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

  

Air Vice Marshal Ajay Shukla, VM(G), (Retd), AIDSS

"Technology Adoption Pathways for Global South Air Forces in the Indo-Pacific: Challenges, Enablers and Strategic Choices."

12:45 PM – 01:00 PM

Q & A Session

Q & A Session

LUNCH BREAK: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST)

18/09/2026

02:00 - 03:30 PM (IST)

Plenary Session III: Sustainability and Human Security in the Global South: Climate, Energy, and Development Futures

F3 Seminar Hall

Chair/Moderator

Dr. Amitabh Mattoo, Professor, JNU, India 

Panelist I:  

Mr. Pavel Arefiev, Lecturer and Specialist in International Humanitarian Cooperation, MGIMO University, Russia

  

Panelist II:  

Amb. Dammu Ravi

Panelist III:  

Prof. Harsh V Pant, Vice President at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi

Panelist IV:  

Dr. Siddharth, RLA 

Panelist V:  

 

Panelist VI:  

 

Panelist VII:  

Dr. A Subramaniam Raju, Professor & Head of the Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University

Panelist VIII:  

Excellency Noeleen Heyzer, Former UN USG, UN, Singapore

Valedictory Session:  

03:30 PM - 05.00 PM (IST) F3 Seminar Hall

Time

EMCEE AIIS Students 

03.30 pm – 03.45 pm

Report Reading by 

Prof. (Dr.) Nagalaxmi M. Raman, Convenor

Director & Head, AIIS, 

Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India 

03.45 pm – 03.55 pm

Special Address by (yet to be confirmed)

Excellency Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UNCTAD, Switzerland 

03.55 pm – 04.10 pm

Chief Guest  

04.10 pm – 04.25 pm

Distinguished Guest (yet to be confirmed)

Dr. Seshadri Chari, Policy Analyst, Independent, India 

04.25 pm – 04.35 pm

Valedictory Address (yet to be confirmed)

Ms. Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary, Policy Planning & Research (PP&R) Division, Ministry of External Affairs, India

04.35 pm – 04.45 pm

Address by 

Prof (Dr) Gurinder Singh, Gp. Vice Chancellor

04.45 pm – 04:55 pm

Address by 

Prof (Dr) Nirupama Prakash, Dean of Social Sciences Domain 

04.55 pm – 05:00 pm

Vote of Thanks by Conference Chair

HIGH TEA & NETWORKING: 05.00 PM – 05.30 PM 

Themes

 

Sub Themes of the Conference

 

1. Strategic and Geopolitical Dynamics

  • The Global South in a Multipolar World: Power Redistribution and Emerging Hierarchies (Plenary Session I)
  • Indo-Pacific Strategic Frameworks: FOIP, Quad, BIMSTEC, IORA, and IPOI in Shaping Regional Order(Plenary Session II)
  • ASEAN Centrality and Regional Institutional Architecture
  • Strategic Autonomy in the Global South: Policy Choices, Alignment Strategies, and Partnership Models
  • China’s Expanding Footprint in Southeast Asia and Regional Responses
  • India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and Engagement with Southeast Asia (Act East Policy)

2. Security and Sustainability

  • Sustainability and Human Security in the Global South: Climate, Energy, and Development Futures (Plenary Session III)
  • Maritime Security, Sea Lanes, and the Blue Economy in the Indo-Pacific
  • Non-Traditional Security in the Global South: Health, Migration, and Transnational Risks
  • Climate Change and Environmental Governance in the Global South

3. Economic, Technological, and Societal Transformations

  • Energy Security and Green Transitions in Emerging Economies in Southeast Asia
  • Connectivity, Infrastructure Diplomacy, and Supply Chain Resilience
  • Trade, Investment Flows, and Regional Economic Integration in Southeast Asia and the Global South
  • Digital Geopolitics, Cyber Security, and Emerging Technologies in the Indo-Pacific
  • Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, and Cultural Connectivity in the Global South

 

Keynote Speakers

Venue

Amity University

F3 Seminar Hall and F1 MDP, Sector 125, Noida - 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India


Past Conferences

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About Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

 

The Amity Institute of International Studies (AIIS), a premier institution of Amity University, Noida, is dedicated to advancing excellence in teaching, research, and policy engagement in the field of international affairs. The institute offers interdisciplinary academic programs that foster a comprehensive understanding of global politics, international relations, diplomacy, strategic studies, foreign policy, peace and conflict studies, and global governance. AIIS actively promotes academic dialogue through international conferences, seminars, workshops, and collaborative research initiatives with leading institutions and scholars worldwide. With a strong emphasis on innovation, critical thinking, and experiential learning, the institute prepares students and researchers to address emerging global challenges and contribute meaningfully to international policy and governance. Through its commitment to academic excellence and global engagement, AIIS serves as a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange, promoting cross-cultural understanding, sustainable development, and international cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

 

 

Steering Committee

Convenor

Prof. (Dr.) Nagalaxmi M. Raman
Director & Head, 
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida 
Associate Faculty Members

Dr. Shreesh Kumar Pathak
Assistant Professor-III
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida  

Dr. Aleena Thomas
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida 

Dr. Shubham Verma
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida 

Dr. Aashriti Gautam
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida 
 

Dr. Ashok Sadasivan
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida 
Dr. Akriti Khajuria
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida 
Dr. Devina Singh
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida
Dr. Malswantluangi
Assistant Professor-I
Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida

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Important Dates

Abstract Submission
Start Date 15th Jun 2026
Last Date 31th Jul 2026
Full Paper Submission
Start Date 30th Jul 2026
Last Date 17th Aug 2026
Registration
Start Date 15th Jul 2026
Early Bird till 30th Jul 2026
Last Date -
Conference Dates 16th - 18th  Sept 2026


 

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