Foundational Training Programme for Indian Economic Service Probationers (30 June – 4 July 2025)
The Indian Economic Service (IES) probationers participated in a weeklong Foundational Training Programme from 30th June to 4th July 2025, aimed at strengthening their capacity in evidence-based policy formulation and strategic economic thinking.
The Takshashila Institution brought a panel to IIM Bangalore for a discussion on Operation Sindoor
The Takshashila Institution brought a panel to IIM Bangalore for a discussion on Operation Sindhoor and the dynamics of India-Pakistan relations.
Takshashila hosts the fifth Bengaluru Science Policy Forum meeting
The Takshashila Institution hosted the fifth Bengaluru Science Policy Forum meeting on 29 April 2025. The relative decline of Western influence, the erosion of globalisation, and the resurgence of ideological divides are reshaping how states perceive and utilise science, that is, not as a shared human endeavor, but increasingly as a strategic asset. Against this backdrop, the forum convened to discuss the theme ‘Global Political Changes and Science.’
Takshashila Institution Concludes Executive Geospatial Training Programme
We’re pleased to share the successful completion of our Executive Geospatial Training Course, led by in-house experts from the Geospatial Research Programme.
Takshashila hosts a roundtable discussion on ‘Critical Minerals - Strategic Importance and Challenges’
The Takshashila Institution hosted a roundtable discussion on ‘Critical Minerals - Strategic Importance and Challenges’ with Dr. Thomas Lograsso, Director of the Critical Minerals Innovation Hub led by Ames National Laboratory, Iowa, on March 4th, 2025.
Takshashila hosts Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Academic Conference 2025
The Takshashila Institution hosted the Network for Advanced Study of Pakistan (NASP) Academic Conference 2025 from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at Neev Academy, Bengaluru. The conference brought together NASP Fellows, distinguished mentors, and experts for an engaging exchange of research and ideas on Pakistan’s evolving political, economic, and security landscape.
“Effecting Change” PGP Workshop in Bangalore
The 14th, 15th and 16th of February saw the eighth cohort of our postgraduate programme (PGP) in public policy course come together for our Effecting Change workshop, hosted right here in Bangalore at the Takshashila Institution office located on vibrant Church Street. The three-day event was a dynamic space for learning, discussion, and collaboration, bringing 21 aspiring changemakers together to sharpen their skills and drive tangible impact
Takshashila hosts a Roundtable Discussion on ‘AI and National Power and AI and the Economy’
On 13th Feb, a multidisciplinary expert panel of economists, technologists, venture capitalists, and policy experts convened at the Takshashila Institution to discuss India's AI priorities. The discussions focussed on two key themes: AI and National Power and AI and the Economy
Takshashila hosts a Roundtable Discussion on ‘Indo-Japanese Relations and the International Order 2025’
The Takshashila Institution hosted Mr. Noriaki Abe, Minister of Political Affairs, Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, for a Roundtable conversation with Takshashila researchers on ‘Indo-Japanese Relations and the International Order 2025’. Mr. Abe presented insights on Japan’s interest in and outreach to South and Southeast Asia, with special emphasis on the growing partnership with India.
Takshashila hosts the fourth Bengaluru Science Policy Forum meeting
The Takshashila Institution hosted the fourth Bengaluru Science Policy Forum meeting on 29 January 2025. The theme of the meeting was 'One Nation One Subscription' (ONOS). The discussion covered both ‘science for policy’ and ‘policy for science’ aspects of ONOS.
8th Dr. HGV Reddy Memorial Lecture - Dr. K. P. Krishnan on “Regulation, Federalism, and Institutional Accountability”
Takshashila Institution and HGV Family organised the 8th Dr. HGV Reddy Memorial Lecture on Friday, January 24, 2025 at our office in Bengaluru. Dr. K. P. Krishnan delivered an insightful lecture titled “Regulation, Federalism, and Institutional Accountability”, addressing key challenges and opportunities in governance.
Takshashila Launches New Survey Report on India-China Relations
Most Indians prefer closer trade and investment relations with China but believe that the boundary dispute inhibits deeper ties. This is among the key findings of a new survey published by The Takshashila Institution. The report, Pulse of the People: State of India-China Relations, was released on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Bangalore International Centre.
Bangalore Security Dialogue 2024: Shaping India’s Airpower Future
The Takshashila Institution and Dynamatic Technologies Ltd jointly hosted the inaugural Bangalore Security Dialogue (BSD) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Bengaluru. Under the theme of Accelerating India’s Airpower Transformation, the daylong event brought together defence experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate the emerging trends in the aerospace domain.
Takshashila Hosts Policy Simulation Exercise for the GCPP Cohort of September 2024
The Takshashila Institution organised a three-day Policy Simulation Exercise as part of the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (GCPP) programme at Discovery Village Nandi, from November 29nd to 1st December 2024.
Takshashila Hosts Network for Advanced Study of Technology Geopolitics Fellowship Conference
The Takshashila Institution organised a three-day academic conference as part of the Network for Advanced Study of Technology Geopolitics (NAST) fellowship at The Chancery Pavilion, Bengaluru, from November 22nd to 24th.
Fellows from the pioneer cohort of the NAST fellowship (2024-2025) presented their work-in-progress papers on areas lying at the intersection of technology and geopolitics, such as semiconductors, satellite constellations, lethal autonomous weapons systems and AI.
Following a welcome dinner on 22 November, over the course of the next two days, the fellows presented the findings of their research, while receiving feedback from mentors, scholars and practitioners. In addition, they also engaged in a crisis negotiation exercise with a hypothetical scenario involving the Quad and China.
The NAST fellowship aims to create a cross-disciplinary community of scholars and a body of knowledge that will inform policy, strategy, economics, technology and society. Selected fellows get mentorship from some of the leading experts in critical and emerging technologies, with expertise in geopolitics, geoeconomics, and innovation. The deliverables of the one-year long fellowship is publication of papers in leading journals, and the award includes a cash prize of INR one lakh for top three papers. The NAST fellowship, which is an initiative of the Takshashila Institution, is supported by Samāgata Foundation.
Bengaluru Space Exercise - 2024
The Takshashila Institution hosted its inaugural Bengaluru Space Exercise, a two-day crisis simulation focusing on emerging governance and strategic challenges in outer space. The event, held on November 14-15, 2024, brought together stakeholders from India's military and civilian space sectors.
Through detailed crisis scenarios, participants explored two critical themes: the growing risks in an increasingly congested Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and the potential escalation of terrestrial conflicts into the outer space domain. The exercise aimed to gain fresh insights into strategic challenges and as well potential crisis responses.
The participants consisted of officers from the Indian armed forces, representatives from the private space sector, and academics.
Roundtable | India-China Trade and Investment: Approaches and Frameworks
To create an engaging forum for deliberation on vulnerabilities in India’s trade relationship with China, on September 11, 2024, the Indo-Pacific Studies Team at Takshashila organised a Roundtable discussion. The discussion was led by Amit Kumar and Pranay Kotasthane, and the panelists included eminent scholars such as Amb. V.S Seshadri (Senior Fellow for Economic Security at Delhi Policy Group), Dr. Amitendu Palit (Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead, ISAS, NUS), Dr. Partha Mukhopadhyay (Senior Fellow at Centre for Policy Research), and Mr. Santosh Pai (Partner at Trilegal).
The relevant frameworks under deliberation were Defining Dependence-induced Vulnerabilities in Asymmetrical Trade Interdependence: A Conceptual Framework (by Amit Kumar), and A Framework to Approach Chinese Firms (by Pranay Kotasthane).
Future Frontiers of India-US Collaboration
On 10 September 2024, the Takshashila Institution and US-India Business Council (USIBC) jointly organised an event ‘Future Frontiers of India-US Collaboration’, at the Taj West End, Bengaluru. Ambassador (retd.) Atul Keshap (President, USIBC) delivered welcome remarks, while Edward Knight (Executive Vice Chairman, Nasdaq and Chairman, USIBC) delivered the opening remarks. Narayan Ramachandran (Co-Founder, Takshashila) delivered the keynote address. He presented two key recommendations from a joint (upcoming) report on India-US relations by the Takshashila Institution and the Hudson Institute. First, expanding the India-US 2+2 meetings to become 3+3 by inviting ‘commerce’ to the table. Second, the need for deeper human capital exchange. An ensuing panel discussion on ‘Collaborative Frontiers in Emerging Technologies’ was moderated by Brad Staples (CEO, APCO) with Amy Hariani (Senior Advisor, USIBC), Pranay Kotasthane (Deputy Director, Takshashila), Sudhir Rao (India Managing Partner, Celesta Capital) and Saurabh Chandra (CEO, Ati Motors) as panellists.
Bretton Woods at 80: India’s Role in Creating the World Bank and IMF with Mr. Vikram Raghavan
On August 28, 2024, Takshashila Institution hosted Mr. Vikram Raghavan, Lead Counsel at the World Bank, for a talk on ‘Bretton Woods at 80: India’s Role in Creating the World Bank and IMF.’ Speaking in his private capacity, Mr. Raghavan explained the competing proposals for post-war reparations, the Keynes Plan and the White Plan. On India’s contribution to Bretton Woods, Mr. Raghavan highlighted how the Indian government sought extensive consultations from the RBI and chambers of commerce. He discussed the prominent members of the Indian delegation and how India was recognized as an independent entity at the conference.
Mr. Raghavan recounted how the British delegation, including Sir Jeremy Raisman of the Indian delegation, revised the American Plan during their voyage to New York on the Queen Mary. He also mentioned a secret pre-conference meeting at a US beach, where heavy negotiations took place among the US and British delegations, with Sir Jeremy in attendance. India’s bold proposal that the fund should have a development mandate was debated and eventually agreed upon at Bretton Woods. India also contributed to World Bank’s Article 1.
He explained India’s formal membership in the Bank and Fund, noting the lengthy ratification process. Mr. Raghavan concluded by emphasizing that India became the World Bank’s biggest borrower and a development laboratory for the bank, and acknowledged the policy contributions of Indian Executive directors in the Bank and the Fund.
Policy Seminar | Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy
The eighth cohort of our Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy kicked off their first in-person workshop convening with a policy seminar in Delhi! We heard from a wide range of exemplary public policy practitioners on issues ranging from the economic trends to the clean energy transition India is grappling with.
Click here to learn more about the PGP and apply for the next cohort: