**Executive Summary**
The inaugural Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was held on March 5, 2026, in New Delhi, jointly organized by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). The event focused on strategic autonomy and disruptive technologies, convening approximately 80 global experts. The SDI is envisioned as an annual platform for discussions on science and technology's role in international policy and governance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inaugural Event Details**
* The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) inaugural edition took place on March 5, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
* It was jointly launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) as part of the Raisina Dialogue.
* **Focus and Objectives**
* The initiative convened global thought leaders, policymakers, and scholars to deliberate on science diplomacy's evolving role in navigating strategic autonomy and the governance of disruptive technologies.
* The goal was to facilitate an open exchange of ideas among scientists, innovators, diplomats, and scholars.
* The SDI is planned as an annual global platform for evolving a contemporary framework for science diplomacy.
* **Key Discussions and Themes**
* Discussions emphasized the central focus of science and technology on national development, economic competitiveness, security, and socio-economic progress.
* It was highlighted that science diplomacy must adapt to new technological frontiers, geopolitical shifts, and global challenges.
* **Roundtable 1: Science Diplomacy in the Era of Strategic Autonomy**
* Discussions underscored the need to balance national strategic priorities with the collaborative nature of science.
* Emphasis was placed on scientific cooperation and trust as a bridge amid geopolitical shifts.
* Strengthening trusted networks, transparent research ecosystems, and resilient multilateral frameworks were highlighted.
* The need for enhanced risk-assessment mechanisms and strengthened science advice capacities was also noted.
* **Roundtable 2: Science Diplomacy and Governance of Disruptive Technologies**
* Deliberations focused on equitable and effective governance models for frontier technologies.
* Topics included anticipatory policy processes, inclusive norm-setting, and aligning innovation with ethical and societal considerations.
* Proactive, globally coordinated approaches were stressed for addressing risks and harnessing disruptive technologies.
* Strengthening capacity for science diplomacy, leveraging scientific cooperation for global equality, and promoting collaborations in pre-competitive research were discussed.
* **Future Outlook and Recommendations**
* Prof. Sood emphasized strengthening the initiative by considering the role of private sector actors in shaping science diplomacy frameworks for disruptive technologies.
* Consideration was also given to meaningfully integrating private sector actors into future discussions.
* The adaptation of existing multilateral instruments for more equitable diffusion of technological advancements was also discussed.
**Impact Analysis**
**Global Thought Leaders, Policymakers, and Scholars**
* **Impact:** They participated in discussions, shared insights, and contributed to the evolving discourse on science diplomacy, strategic autonomy, and the governance of disruptive technologies.
* **Action Required:** To continue engaging in future SDI events and contribute to the development of science diplomacy frameworks.
**Scientists, Innovators, and Diplomats**
* **Impact:** They were brought together to deliberate and exchange ideas on the role of science and technology in international policy and governance.
* **Action Required:** To leverage scientific cooperation and collaborate on research and technology governance challenges.
**International Organisations**
* **Impact:** These organizations were represented, contributing to discussions and potentially influencing their engagement in science diplomacy efforts.
* **Action Required:** To strengthen multilateral engagement and adapt instruments for equitable diffusion of technological advancements.
**Government of India (Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser)**
* **Impact:** The initiative is a platform to advance national development agendas through science and technology, and to shape international policy and governance.
* **Action Required:** To continue chairing and co-chairing the initiative, and to reflect on key questions for its future strengthening.
**Observer Research Foundation (ORF)**
* **Impact:** The ORF plays a key role in organizing and envisioning the SDI as a global platform.
* **Action Required:** To continue co-organizing and facilitating the annual platform for science diplomacy discussions.
Key Entities Referenced
Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI): The central initiative discussed, focused on strategic autonomy and disruptive technologies through science diplomacy.
Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India: A key organizing body of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative.
Observer Research Foundation (ORF): A co-organizer of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative.
Raisina Dialogue: The broader event of which the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative is a part.
New Delhi: The location where the inaugural edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative was held.
Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI
Inaugural Edition of Raisina Science Diplomacy
Initiative (SDI) focuses on Strategic Autonomy
and Disruptive Technologies
Posted On: 05 MAR 2026 3:19PM by PIB Delhi
The inaugural edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was held on 5 March 2026 at
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The initiative was jointly launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific
Adviser to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) as part of the Raisina
Dialogue.
[from top left: Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, Prof. Ajay Sood, Dr. Samir Saran; Dr. Rudra Chaudhuri, Prof.
Marilyne Andersen, Prof. Peter Gluckman]
The first edition of Raisina SDI convened global thought leaders, policymakers, and scholars to deliberate
on the evolving role of science diplomacy in navigating the emerging imperatives of strategic autonomy
and the governance challenges posed by disruptive technologies. The convening brought together about 80
scientists, innovators, diplomats, science diplomacy scholars and practitioners from across the world and
from leading international organisations in a closed-door format designed to facilitate open exchange of
ideas.
The initiative was chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay
Kumar Sood, and co-chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council; Prof.
Marilyne Andersen, Director General of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA); and
Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, In-charge of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Theinaugural remarks underscored the increasingly central focus of science and technology to the imperatives
of national development agendas of countries, economic competitiveness, national and global security
priorities, and socio-economic progress. It was emphasised that in the evolving global landscape, science
diplomacy is not static; it must continually adapt to new technological frontiers, shifting geopolitical
realities, and emerging global challenges. President ORF Dr. Samir Saran remarked that the Raisina SDI is
planned as a global platform for evolving contemporary framework for science diplomacy efforts from all
perspectives.
Roundtable on Science Diplomacy in the Era of Strategic Autonomy
The first roundtable, titled “Science Diplomacy in the Era of Strategic Autonomy,” was chaired by Dr.
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA, with scene-setting remarks by Prof. Peter
Gluckman. Discussions underscored the need to balance national strategic priorities with the inherently
collaborative nature of science. Discussants highlighted that scientific cooperation and trust in scientific
systems remains a vital bridge even amid geopolitical shifts, and emphasized strengthening trusted
networks, transparent research ecosystems, and resilient multilateral frameworks. The deliberation also
emphasized the need to enhance risk-assessment mechanisms, strengthen science advice capacities and
active engagement in a globally equitable manner for standard-setting processes.Roundtable on Science Diplomacy and Governance of Disruptive Technologies
The second roundtable, “Science Diplomacy and Governance of Disruptive Technologies,” was chaired
by Prof. Marilyne Andersen, with scene-setting remarks by Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale. The deliberations
focused on emerging equitable and effective governance models for frontier technologies, including
anticipatory policy process, inclusive norm-setting, and the importance of aligning technological
innovation with contextual ethical and societal considerations. Participants stressed that proactive,
globally coordinated approaches are essential to address risks while harnessing the transformative
potential of disruptive technologies. The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening
capacity for science diplomacy, leveraging scientific cooperation to reduce global inequalities, reinforcing
multilateral engagement, promoting collaborations in pre-competitive research areas and addressing
technology governance challenges through practical, use-cases driven approach.
As part of the initiative, Dr. Jahnavi Phalke, Director of Science Gallery Bengaluru delivered a talk on
‘historic evolution of science diplomacy’ highlighting how the landscape of science diplomacy has
expanded beyond state actors to include a wider range of institutions; Dr. Steen Søndergaard, NATO Chief
Scientist shared insights from NATO’s technology foresight efforts and its implications on global systems.Dr. Steen Søndergaard and Dr. Jahnavi Phalke
The insights emerging from the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative will contribute to the evolving
global discourse on science diplomacy. Envisioned as an annual platform, the initiative seeks to facilitate
both contemporary and future-facing deliberations on the role of science and technology in shaping
international policy, cooperation and governance. Looking ahead, Prof. Sood underscored the importance
of further strengthening the initiative by reflecting on two key questions: the role that private sector actors
can play in shaping frameworks for science diplomacy to better anticipate and govern disruptive
technologies, and how they may be meaningfully integrated into future discussions; and the ways in which
existing multilateral instruments can be leveraged and adapted to enable a more equitable diffusion of
technological advancements across societies.
****
MJPS/ST
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