Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
The 2025 India Conference at Harvard (ICH) is one of the largest and most influential student-led India-focused conferences in the United States. Scheduled for Feb. 15-16 in Boston, the event will highlight India’s growing influence on the global stage.
An annual event hosted jointly at Harvard Business School (HBS) and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), it fosters dialogue on India’s evolving role in global affairs, bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Nita Ambani will be headlining this year’s event, presenting a keynote that will align with ICH’s theme for 2025, “From India to the World,” which celebrates India’s emergence as a global leader shaping pathways for peace, prosperity, and innovation.
READ: American Bazaar to showcase AI startups in DC area at ‘InnovateAI 2025’ on Jan. 31 (January 14, 2025)
The American Bazaar is a media partner of the event.
In this exclusive interview, the co-chairs Arpit Garg (HBS 2025), Sanchie Shroff (HBS 2025), Kartik Sahni (HBS, HKS 2025), and Ayush Shukla (HKS 2025) share their inspirations, challenges, this year’s theme, and what attendees can look forward to at ICH 2025.
Why did you take on the role of co-chair?
“For me, this conference is about building bridges and celebrating India’s contributions to the world,” says Garg, who has been away from India for over a decade. “It’s been a meaningful way to reconnect with India and to create a space where others can feel inspired and connect.”
Shukla echoes a similar sentiment: “The India Conference felt like the best way to contribute to dialogue around India at one of the most globally respected academic spaces. It’s about engaging with leaders to create sustainable partnerships as a means of exchange between India and the world.”
Sahni shares that ICH is an “opportunity to curate some of the most crucial contemporary conversations affecting India’s, and by extension the world’s, future.”
“It’s a dynamic platform to elevate India’s stories, foster meaningful connections, and celebrate the nation’s extraordinary journey on the global stage,” Shroff said.
What does this year’s theme, “From India to the World,” mean to you?
For Shroff, it was about pride and passion. “Last year, leading the consumer panel was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my time at HBS. It inspired me to take on a larger role this year to showcase India’s progress and foster meaningful connections.”
“India is increasingly seen as a contributor on the global stage,” says Sahni. “Whether it’s navigating diplomatic relationships, building economic and technical capabilities, or tackling global megatrends like climate change, India’s role is being watched with growing interest.”
Shroff shares a personal connection to the theme: “Coming from Bihar, the poorest state in India, I’ve experienced how resilience and ambition can drive extraordinary outcomes. This theme captures the spirit of a nation that is now shaping narratives, industries, and innovations worldwide.”
Garg adds, “This year’s theme builds on last year’s theme, ‘India Rising.’ It’s about how India is now influencing the world with its ideas, talent, and innovations—a leader, not just a follower.”
READ: Vijay Raghunathan named to semiconductor workforce national advisory board (January 8, 2025)
What do you see as ICH’s role in shaping global perceptions of India?
“ICH is a bridge between India and the world,” explains Shukla. “It’s a platform to showcase India’s diversity and to have constructive conversations about its challenges and contributions. The goal is to catalyze tangible outcomes through these dialogues.”
“Our speakers exemplify India’s transformative impact,” adds Shroff. “Whether it’s Sabyasachi Mukherjee revolutionizing Indian wedding fashion or Nita Ambani discussing philanthropy and culture, these voices help us reframe global perceptions of India.”
Which panels or speakers are you most excited about?
“It’s hard to choose, but I’m particularly excited about the Food & Culture panel,” says Garg. “This is the first time we’ve included it in the conference, and it features Suvir Saran, the celebrated chef behind Dévi, the first Indian restaurant in the U.S. to earn a Michelin star. Food is such an integral part of Indian culture, and Suvir embodies that perfectly. He will share insights on how Indian cuisine is making waves globally, the role of food in shaping cultural identity, and what the future holds for Indian gastronomy.”
Shroff highlights other must-see sessions: “Pramath Raj Sinha’s session will be incredible. He’ll share his journey in building institutions like Ashoka University and ISB. And, of course, Nita Ambani’s session on philanthropy and culture promises to be a highlight.”
The conference has two exciting new initiatives this year: the startup pitch competition and policy hackathon. What is the story behind them?
“We wanted to transform the conference from passive dialogue to active participation,” explains Sahni. “The pitch competition celebrates India’s entrepreneurial spirit, with more than $15,000 in non-dilutive funding for innovative ventures. The policy hackathon, in partnership with the Indian School of Business, engages participants in crafting solutions for climate risks, with over $10,000 in cash prizes.”
Shroff adds, “These initiatives are deeply personal to us. They’re about empowering changemakers and ensuring the conference has a lasting impact.”
What challenges did you face while planning ICH 2025?
“One of our biggest challenges came when we distributed the press release for Nita Ambani’s
participation, leading to misrepresentations that jeopardized her involvement. Additionally, an article referred to her as “Mukesh Ambani’s wife,” which undermined her identity and contributions. As a woman, this was especially disheartening. I took it upon myself to address the issue by personally reaching out to the editor and ensuring the article was corrected within 24 hours. We also worked closely with Reliance to maintain their confidence in the event,” Shroff revealed.
“Planning a conference at this scale is fraught with challenges of all types we can imagine,
and the ones we cannot. From changing travel plans of the speakers, to managing partner
dynamics, handling communications, building internal teams, and then ensuring that on-day
operations for the conference are planned well in advance,” Shukla said.
Garg added: “It’s been a lesson in thoughtful curation—understanding that sometimes less can
be more.”
READ: GreenBrilliance CEO Sumit Bhatnagar: Making renewable solar energy accessible worldwide (December 19, 2024)
If you were pitching this conference in a single sentence, what would you say?
“The India Conference at Harvard is your front-row seat to India’s transformation—from a rising nation to a global powerhouse—where visionary leaders, innovators, and changemakers come together to inspire, engage, and shape the future,” said Shroff.
This year’s India Conference at Harvard promises to not only spark conversations but also catalyze action. As the co-chairs emphasized, it’s not just an event—it’s a movement to elevate India’s stories, foster meaningful connections, and shape global perceptions.
For more details on the India Conference’s programming and registration, visit
[ad_1]
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
[ad_2]
Comments are closed.