JNU bridges traditions with modernity: V-C at summit on changing world order

The School of International Studies (SIS) at Jawaharlal Nehru University celebrated a historic milestone with the inaugural Aravalli Summit 2025, held under the theme “India and the World Order, Preparing for 2047.”

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Chintan Research Foundation, the event formed a key part of the SIS@70 celebrations, marking seven decades of the School’s contribution to India’s foreign policy thinking and global engagement.

The summit brought together leading diplomats, academics, and policymakers to deliberate on India’s strategic and intellectual trajectory as it moves towards the centenary of independence. The discussions centred on India’s role in a transforming world order, the strengthening of its civilizational identity, and the integration of scholarship with national purpose.

“As we celebrate 70 years of the School of International Studies, we take pride in being part of an institution that bridges tradition with modernity, myth with reality, and theory with practice. The Aravalli Summit embodies this spirit—breaking boundaries of knowledge and shaping Bharatiya-centric narratives. JNU, especially SIS, stands for excellence with equity, inclusion with innovation, and integrity with entrepreneurship,” said Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice-Chancellor, JNU.

She added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed a “revolutionary transformation,” breaking glass ceilings in academia, diplomacy, and governance. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that JNU continued to play a pivotal role in producing globally competent scholars rooted in India’s civilisational ethos.

Reflecting on the School’s intellectual legacy, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Dean of SIS, remarked, “SIS has been more than an academic institution—it has been India’s crucible of ideas, insisting that India’s voice matters. As we inaugurate the Aravalli Summit, we prepare India to be a developed civilizational power while shaping a world ready for India.”

Delivering the keynote address, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored India’s leadership ambitions in a rapidly changing global landscape, saying, “Our ambition must not be merely to adapt, but also to lead.” He called for the strengthening of academic and policy linkages, urging institutions like JNU to play a proactive role in shaping strategic thinking and nurturing talent for India’s global engagement.

The summit also featured thematic sessions on India’s Foreign Policy Vision 2047, Reimagining Global Governance, and Civilizational Identity and Strategic Autonomy, bringing together distinguished voices from the diplomatic corps, think tanks, and academia.