‘Better than Davos’: Abbott praises Raisina Dialogue’s rising global profile

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has praised India’s flagship strategic forum, the Raisina Dialogue, describing it as “better than Davos” and highlighting its growing stature in global geopolitical discussions.

In a post on X, Abbott said the New Delhi conference has emerged as a major international platform and favourably compared it with the annual gathering of global leaders and business elites at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Switzerland. He suggested that the Raisina Dialogue offers a more substantive and less pretentious space for discussions on global challenges.

Held annually in New Delhi since 2016, the Raisina Dialogue is jointly organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation. Over the years, it has grown into India’s premier forum on geopolitics and geo-economics, drawing participation from ministers, former heads of state, diplomats, military leaders, industry executives and scholars from across the world.

Abbott also drew comparisons with the Boao Forum for Asia, the China-backed conference often seen as Beijing’s platform for shaping regional economic and strategic narratives.

Analysts say the remarks by the former Australian leader underscore the rising global visibility of the Raisina Dialogue and reflect India’s expanding role as a convening power in international strategic debates.

The forum has steadily gained prominence over the past decade as a venue where policymakers and experts deliberate on major geopolitical shifts, emerging security challenges and economic trends shaping the global order.

With participation expanding each year, the Raisina Dialogue is increasingly being viewed as one of the world’s leading platforms for high-level conversations on international affairs and strategic policy.