New Delhi, Mar 12: At a moment when the global order is being recalibrated across geopolitics, technology and economics, the India Today Conclave returns for its 23rd edition on March 13–14, 2026 in New Delhi under the theme “Year of Breakthroughs and Breakdowns.” Widely regarded as the country’s most influential geopolitical and thought-leadership summit, the Conclave has, for over two decades, served as “The Intelligence Exchange”, a forum where the world’s most consequential ideas meet the people shaping them.
Bringing together an exceptional assembly of global leaders, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and cultural voices, the Conclave has established itself as one of the most closely watched platforms for ideas, influence, and insight in India and beyond. Each year, it convenes the decision-makers and thinkers who interrogate the forces redefining nations, markets, and societies in real time.
The theme for 2026 reflects the defining paradox of the present era. The world is witnessing extraordinary breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, technological innovation, and economic transformation, even as it confronts profound breakdowns: geopolitical rivalries, supply-chain disruptions, climate pressures, and institutional strain. The Conclave will examine how leadership, institutions, and societies can convert disruption into durable progress while navigating an increasingly complex and fragile global landscape.
Against this backdrop of shifting power centres and emerging alliances, the Conclave will host a wide spectrum of global perspectives from diplomacy, governance, enterprise, and culture. Conversations will reflect the realities of a multipolar world, where strategic partnerships are evolving, economic corridors are being redrawn, and nations are reassessing the balance between cooperation, competition, and sovereignty.
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, climate imperatives redefine policy priorities, and geopolitical alignments continue to evolve, the India Today Conclave will once again convene the voices shaping the decade ahead. At a time when the margin for error in global leadership has never been narrower, the Conclave remains the country’s most powerful platform for ideas that matter—where influence meets insight and the future is debated in real time.
The India Today Conclave 2026 will host an exceptional assembly of global leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, cultural icons, and innovators in conversations that traverse economic futures, governance, technological ethics, cultural transformation, and India’s evolving weight on the world stage.
Global Pivot
- Piyush Goyal | Union Minister of Commerce and Industry
- Ashwini Vaishnaw | Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology
- Sergio Gor | Ambassador of the United States of America to India
- Adelle Nazarian | Geopolitical Consultant
- H.E. Dr Philipp Ackermann | Ambassador of Germany to India
- H.E. Antonio Bartoli | Ambassador of Italy to India
- H.E. Juan Antonio March Pujol | Ambassador of Spain to India
- H.E. Hadi Jaber | Ambassador of Lebanon to India
- H.E. Yousef Abdelghani | Ambassador of Jordan to India
- H.E. Dr. Mohammad Fathali, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to India
- Laura Loomer | Trump Loyalist; American Political Activist
Politics and Policy
- K.C. Venugopal | Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); General Secretary (Organisation), Indian National Congress
- M. Thambi Durai | Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (AIADMK)
- Manickam Tagore | Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (Congress)
- Thamizhachi Thangapandian | Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (DMK)
- Tamilisai Soundararajan | Former Governor of Telangana & Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry; Former President, Tamil Nadu BJP
- Lt Gen Raj Shukla | Former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command
- Namal Rajapaksa | Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka
High-octane Note
- Akshay Kumar | Actor & Producer
- Anil Kapoor | Actor
- Suniel Shetty | Actor & Investor
- Mira Kapoor | Founder, Dhun Wellness; Co-founder, Akind Beauty
- Paramjeet Kaur | Punjabi Rapper
- Gilithigreams | All-girls Pop Band from Arunachal Pradesh
- Meredith Whittaker | President, Signal Foundation
- Sanju Samson | Cricketer*
Tech & Entrepreneurship
- Anil Agarwal | Chairman, Vedanta Group
- Gautam Hari Singhania | Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Group
- Karan Adani | Managing Director, Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd
- Prof Christina M. Wallace | Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Management Unit, Harvard Business School
- Dr. Anshuman Kaushal | Robotic GI Surgeon & Educator
- Salim Ismail | Founder, OpenExO; Founding Executive Director, Singularity University
- Sachin Jain | Regional CEO – India, World Gold Council
- Dr. (CA) Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman and Founder, BNW Developments
- Arvind Tiku | Founder and Group Chairman, AT Capital
- Rahul Shah | Managing Director, Bidyut Innovation
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Dr. Navin Dang | Founder & Director, Dr. Dangs Lab
Defence & Security
- Samir Kamat | Secretary, Department of Defence R&D; Chairman, DRDO*
- Smit Shah | President, Drone Federation India (DFI)
- Nikunj Parashar | Founder, Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd
Wellness & Life
- Maye Musk | Model; Dietitian; Author
- Pico Iyer | Author
- Melati Wijsen | Author; Founder, Youthtopia
