Avni Sablok

My paper “Digital India and Diplomacy: Towards a Global #UPI Payments System” published @ICWA_NewDelhi’s Special Publication “Indian Diplomacy and GOI Flagship Programmes”. #DigitalDiplomacy #Developmentpartnership @PMOIndia @MahawarNutan Read👇 icwa.in/pdfs/Diplomacy…

Listen to our Chair Amb. Rajiv Bhatiya @bhatia_rk, Former Indian High Commissioner to South Africa and Kenya and Panellists Dr. Abhishek Mishra @Mishraesque, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar-Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis @IDSAIndia, Dr. Samir Bhattacharya, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation @orfonline, Dr. Godfred Bonnah Nkansah, Academic Faculty Member, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Ghana, Expert Discussant, Dr. Ruchita Beri @BeriRuchita, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation @vifindia and our in-house expert Ms. Nandini Khandelwal @NandiniKha55573, Research Analyst, ICWA as they share their insights on the sidelines of the #ICWA Panel Discussion on "Gen Z-led Digital Voices Reshaping Africa: Patterns and Implications" on 15 January 2026 at #SapruHouse in conversation with Ms. Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate & Social Media Coordinator, ICWA.

ICWA Recap 2025! In 2025, ICWA published 26 Special Reports tracking and analyzing major developments across India's neighborhood, Central #Asia, the Gulf, South East Asia, East Asia, West Asia, Europe, the #Americas and #Africa. Thematic issues assessed include India & Multilateralism, India, and Regional Organizations, Migration & Mobility, Technology & International Relations, Global Commons, Combating Terrorism & Organized Crime. 📽️ Watch the recap 👇 #GlobalPartnerships #AcademicCollaboration #KnowledgeExchange #ThinkTanks #CapacityBuilding @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @DrSanje84792486 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @GirisankerNair @keshavvermair @T18singh @t_langel @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti

ICWA Recap 2025! In 2025, as a premier #foreignpolicy think tank of #India, #ICWA continued to be an important platform for conversations on #internationalrelations. Foreign dignitaries, distinguished experts, scholars and diplomats participated in these discussions. In 2025, ICWA held 99 events including #SapruHouse Lectures at the level of PM/FM, International and National Conferences and Seminars, Dialogues with international partners, Panel Discussions and Book Discussions. 🎥 Watch the recap 👇 #GlobalPartnerships #AcademicCollaboration #KnowledgeExchange #ThinkTanks #CapacityBuilding @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @DrSanje84792486 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @GirisankerNair @keshavvermair @T18singh @t_langel @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti

ICWA Recap 2025! In 2025, #ICWA signed 8 MoUs with international and national academic institutions and think tanks to foster dialogue and collaboration on #ForeignPolicy and #InternationalRelations. The MoUs aim to promote joint research, organize events, conduct studies on topics of mutual interest and provide opportunities for internships and capacity-building programs to enhance skills in international affairs and Indian foreign policy. #GlobalPartnerships #AcademicCollaboration #KnowledgeExchange #ThinkTanks #CapacityBuilding 🎥 Watch the video 👇 @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @DrSanje84792486 @chintamani36 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @GirisankerNair @keshavvermair @T18singh @t_langel @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti @PIB_India

Listen to our Chair Amb. Sanjay Bhattacharya @ambSanjay_, Professor of Diplomatic Practice, Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P Jindal Global University @JindalGlobalUNI and Former Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, India @MEAIndia and Panelists Prof. Binod Khadria @bkhadria, President, Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT) and Co-convener, Metropolis Asia-Pacific (MAP); Mr. Sanjay Awasthi @SanjayIOM, Head of Office, International Organization for Migration (IOM) India office, New Delhi @IOM_India; Prof. S. Irudaya Rajan, Chair of the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), Kerala, India; Mr. Karan Deep Singh @Karan_Singhs, Independent Journalist, and Former Staff Reporter, the New York Times @NYTimes and our in-house expert Ms. Ambi @Ambi_2301 as they share their insights on the sidelines of the #ICWA Panel Discussion on "Fraying at the Edges? Rethinking Narratives on International Migration & Mobility in 2025" on 28 February 2025 in conversation with Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate, ICWA. Watch the full panel discussion on our YouTube Channel 👉 @ICWANewDelhi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ICWANewDelhi #PanelDiscussion #Migration #GlobalMobility #DiasporaStudies @MEAIndia @indiandiplomats @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india

Listen to our Chair Amb. Rajiv Bhatia @bhatia_rk, Former Director General, #ICWA and Former Ambassador of India and Panelists Prof. S.K. Mohanty, Professor at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) @RIS_NewDelhi; Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay @EditorSulagna, Editor-in-Chief at Geography and our in-house expert Dr. Pragya Pandey @PragyaP07 as they share their insights on the sidelines of the #ICWA Roundtable Discussion on the theme “Unleashing the Blue Economy Potential in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Way Forward for the IORA” on 25 March 2025 in conversation with Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate, ICWA. Watch the full panel discussion on our YouTube Channel 👉 @ICWANewDelhi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ICWANewDelhi #IORA #IndianOcean #BlueEconomy #MaritimeSecurity #SustainableDevelopment @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india

ICWA Recap 2025! Under its Outreach Programme, ICWA supported 45 conferences in #academic institutions across #India in 2025. These #conferences were held on themes such as Indian Foreign Policy, ‘#Hindi ka Vaishvik Paridrishya’, Maritime issues, India’s Neighbourhood, India@2047, India’s Partnership with Africa, India-US Relations, etc. in cities like Chandigarh, Mahendragarh (Haryana), Agra in the North, Goa, Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur in the West, Dibrugarh, Motihari, Kolkata, Gorakhpur in the East and Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore & Pondicherry in the South. 🎥 Watch video to know about ICWA Outreach Events 2025 👇 #Geopolitics #India #GlobalAffairs #ThinkTank @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @DrSanje84792486 @chintamani36 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @GirisankerNair @keshavvermair @T18singh @t_langel @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti @PIB_India

ICWA Recap 2025! In 2025, in an effort to contribute to an #Indian narrative of international developments, ICWA Research Faculty monitored and evaluated developments across the globe with renewed vigour. ICWA published 184 papers in 2025, including 26 Special Reports. These tracked and assessed developments in the neighborhood, Central #Asia, the Gulf, South East Asia, East Asia, West Asia, Europe, the #Americas and #Africa. Thematic focus included India & Multilateralism, India, and Regional Organizations, Migration & Mobility, Technology & International Relations, Global Commons, Combating Terrorism & Organized Crime. 📽️ Watch the recap 👇 #Geopolitics #India #GlobalAffairs #ThinkTank @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @DrSanje84792486 @chintamani36 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @GirisankerNair @keshavvermair @T18singh @t_langel @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti @PIB_India

ICWA Recap 2025! #ICWA's robust publications programme made significant strides in 2025, including 12 Special Publications by external and in-house experts on issues such as Geopolitical Tremors in South Asia, UN@80, Downfall of the State of #Pakistan, Changing International Migration & Mobility Agenda and Foreign Policy for the Amrit Kaal. 9 books were published by external experts on themes such as India's Maritime Power, Afghanistan under Taliban 2.0 & State Responsibility under International Law. ICWA's flagship journal since 1945, the India Quarterly, continued its journey with a special issue on Women, Peace and Security on the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the WPS Agenda published in September 2025. The Hindi edition of the India Quarterly entered its 6th year in 2025. 🎥 Watch video 👇 #ThinkTank #ICWABook #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @AmbMoKumar @DrSanje84792486 @chintamani36 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @keshavvermair @T18singh @t_langel @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti @PIB_India

ICWA Recap 2025! In 2025, as a premier #ForeignPolicy think tank of #India, #ICWA continued to receive a range of eminent visitors from abroad were received in ICWA. These included Heads of State/Government, Foreign Ministers, Heads of International Organizations and leading foreign think-tanks and other dignitaries. ICWA continued to prove to be a vital platform for them to share their views on international affairs and bilateral, regional & multilateral developments. 🎥 Watch video on Eminent Visitors at Sapru House 2025.👇 #ThinkTanks #InternationalAffairs @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @indiandiplomats @diaspora_india @bhatia_rk @AmbMoKumar @hitesh_rajpal @DrSanje84792486 @chintamani36 @nivedita_ray @banerjee_stuti @PragyaP07 @AtharZafar1 @Punitgaur @Amansetu1 @SablokAvni @keshavvermair @T18singh @AnweshaGosh @dhrubajyoti2006 @subodhcbharti @PIB_India

Listen to our Chair Amb. Ashok Kantha @ashokkkantha, Subhas Chandra Bose Chair Professor on International Relations, Chanakya University @ChanakyaUni, Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) @vifindia, Former Ambassador of India to China & High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Panellists Ms. Sulochana Wijayasinghe, Researcher, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations & Strategic Studies (LKI), Colombo @the_lki. Dr. Athaulla A. Rasheed, Head of Centre, Centre for Security and Strategic Studies (CSSS), Maldives National University (MNU), Male @MNUedu. Capt. Sarabjeet Singh Parmar (Retd) @Harpoonleader, Distinguished Fellow, Council for Strategic and Defense Research @CSDR_India, Australia India Institute @AIinstitute and Indo-Pacific Studies Centre and our in-house expert Dr. Samatha Mallempati @SamathaMallemp1, Research Fellow, ICWA as they share their insights on the sidelines of the #ICWA Panel Discussion on “Port led Development, Connectivity and Geo-politics in India’s Neighbourhood” on 16 December 2025 at #SapruHouse in conversation with Ms. Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate & Social Media Coordinator, ICWA. Watch the full panel discussion on our YouTube Channel 👉 @ICWANewDelhi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ICWANewDelhi #IndiaDiplomacy #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy @MEAIndia @indiandiplomats @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india

Listen to our Chair Amb. Ashok Kantha @ashokkkantha, Subhas Chandra Bose Chair Professor on International Relations, Chanakya University @ChanakyaUni, Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) @vifindia, Former Ambassador of India to China & High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Panellists Prof. Biswajit Dhar, Former Professor, JNU @JNU_official_50. Mr. Santosh Pai @santoshpai_k, Partner, Dentons Link Legal & Honorary Fellow, ICS @ics_delhi and Dr. Aravind Yelery, Associate Professor, JNU and our in-house expert Dr. Teshu Singh, Research Fellow, ICWA as they share their insights on the sidelines of the #ICWA Panel Discussion on “An Assessment of the Chinese Economy” on 11 December 2025 at #SapruHouse in conversation with Ms. Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate & Social Media Coordinator, ICWA. Watch the full panel discussion on our YouTube Channel 👉 @ICWANewDelhi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ICWANewDelhi #IndiaDiplomacy #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy @MEAIndia @indiandiplomats @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india

In collaboration with #ICWA a two-day Seminar on “Climate Action and Green Diplomacy: India’s Leadership in Sustainable Development and Global Partnerships” was organised by KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu @KPRIETonline on 5-6 November, 2025. Ms. Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate & Social Media Coordinator, ICWA delivered the inaugural address at the seminar. She highlighted India’s domestic initiatives such as the LIFE Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), that blend traditional wisdom with modern innovation, promoting sustainable agriculture, waste-to-wealth models & climate-resilient livelihoods. Globally, India is a pivotal actor in global climate governance driving multilateral cooperation through initiatives such as International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). She further underscored that Climate action is not a singular endeavor and requires global cooperation across governments, industries, academia and civil society as the path to a climate-resilient future is collaborative. India’s journey demonstrates that ambition, tradition, innovation, and diplomacy can converge to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world. #ClimateAction #GreenDiplomacy #ClimateJustice #SustainableDevelopment #GlobalPartnerships #VasudhaivaKutumbakam #OneEarthOneFamilyOneFuture

Attended the 55th Sapru House lecture today @ICWA_NewDelhi by FM @ckombos. India values its comprehensive relationship with Cyprus, anchored in mutual respect, shared democratic values, forward looking agenda and a joint strategic vision. 🇮🇳 🇨🇾

55th #SapruHouse Lecture on “Cyprus and the World” by H.E. Dr. Constantinos Kombos @ckombos, Foreign Minister, Republic of the Cyprus @CyprusMFA was delivered in the presence of Dr. S. Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar, Hon'ble External Affairs Minister of India at ICWA on 30 October 2025. FM Kombos stated that, in a world in transition and a state of polycrisis, "no one is willing to act as the insurance policy for the security of the system. We must all do that. Alone and together". He emphasized that, while formally equal in public international law, big and small states are being impacted differently by the transformative processes underway with the latter having to often negotiate without leverage. At the same time, however, the current geopolitical ferment was also presenting opportunities for small states like Cyprus to create space for new initiatives that made them useful to others such as humanitarian contributions & conflict alleviation and through alignments and realignments including a forward looking partnership between India and Cyprus. He said that Cyprus was striving to be a platform for dialogue between Europe and Asia and to contribute to growing interaction between Europe and Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, and the EU and Global South. Special Address was delivered by Amb. Sibi George @AmbSibiGeorge, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The lecture was chaired by Amb. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General & Additional Secretary, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi. #IndiaCyprus #MEA #EUIndia #Diplomacy #ICWA #SapruHouseLecture Read text of FM Kombos' Lecture 👉 bit.ly/4ogKMWt Read text of Secretary (West)'s Special Address 👉 bit.ly/47BBuwZ Read text of Acting Director General's Welcome Remarks 👉 bit.ly/430zugs

Ms. Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate & Social Media Coordinator, #ICWA, participated as a discussant at TERI’s #Act4Earth Roundtable Dialogue on “Multilateralism and Global Governance: Road to COP30 and Beyond”. She highlighted the urgency of bringing Global South perspectives to the forefront, mainstreaming #gender in climate discourse, and reviving vernacular climate resilience architecture through local SDG frameworks. She underscored that local-level action is critical to ensuring that climate and development strategies are contextually grounded, inclusive, and equitable. Further, fostering endogenous innovation and capacity-building will be vital for sustained progress toward both climate and development objectives. #GlobalSouth #ClimateJustice #ClimateEquity #InclusiveDevelopment #ClimateAction #GenderEquality #COP30

🗓️ 8 October 2025 Day 1 – ICWA International Conference on the theme "Women Across Geographies: Issues & Perspectives" commenced in New Delhi. In the Inaugural Session, the Special Address was delivered by Smt. Vijaya K Rahatkar @VijayaRahatkar, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, New Delhi @NCWIndia. She highlighted the importance of discussing women's issues across geographies where discussions are not only limited to the geographical borders of the country but also emotions, values, struggles and possibilities. She emphasised the need to discuss issues related to purdah, widow remarriage, prostitution, and pornography. She mentioned how initiatives like #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao have led to many positive outcomes vis-à-vis women in India. Ms. Rahatkar also mentioned that the Government has taken many steps to ensure gender equality however, several challenges remain. She said that child marriage, domestic violence, online harassment, women trafficking are challenges not only for India but for the world and that for resolving the issues of women the doors to dialogue (samvaad) will have to be opened and that there is a need for the world community to work together with hope and faith. Welcome Remarks were delivered by Amb. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General & Additional Secretary, ICWA. Read full text of remarks by ADG, ICWA 👉 bit.ly/4mSxnCk #WomenAcrossGeographies #WomenIssues #GenderEquality #PeaceAndSecurity #UNResolution1325 #Beijing30 #SapruHouse

विदेश मंत्रालय का थिंक टैंक 'इंडियन कौंसिल ऑफ वर्ल्ड अफेयर्स' (ICWA) द्वारा आयोजित अंतरराष्ट्रीय परिषद का आज नई दिल्ली में उद्घाटन किया। "Women Across Geographies : Issues & Perspective" यह थीम थी कांफ्रेंस की। जब हम कहते हैं : “Women Across Geographies”, तो यह केवल देशों की भौगोलिक सीमाओं की बात नहीं है, बल्कि यह बात है संवेदनाओं की, संस्कारों की, संघर्षों की और संभावनाओं की। नारी केवल भारत की नहीं, पूरी मानवता की आत्मा है। कभी वह गंगा की तरह बहती है, कभी नील नदी की तरह सभ्यता को जन्म देती है, और कभी अमेज़न की तरह जीवन को पोषित करती है। परंतु हर युग में, हर भूगोल में — उसकी यात्रा आसान नहीं रही। वह पर्दे के पीछे छिपाई गई, कभी बहुविवाह की परंपराओं में बाँधी गई, कभी वेश्यावृत्ति के अंधेरे कोनों में धकेली गई। बाल विवाह, घरेलू हिंसा, ऑनलाइन उत्पीड़न, मानव तस्करी – ये चुनौतियाँ सिर्फ भारत की नहीं, बल्कि दुनिया की हैं। लेकिन भारत ने कहा, हम पीछे नहीं हटेंगे। हम लड़ेंगे। हम बदलेंगे। हम कानून सख्ती से लागू कर रहे हैं। हम सामाजिक जागरूकता बढ़ा रहे हैं। हम महिलाओं को अवसर दे रहे हैं। और हम करेंगे, क्योंकि बदलाव की राह में हर कदम महत्वपूर्ण है। #NCW #ICWA #WomenAcrossGeographies

📢Event Alert! 🗓️ 8-9 October 2025 #ICWA will host the International Conference on "Women Across Geographies: Issues & Perspectives" on 8-9 October 2025 in New Delhi. Special Remarks will be delivered by Smt. Vijaya K. Rahatkar @VijayaRahatkar, Chairperson, National Commission for Women @NCWIndia in the Inaugural Session. The Conference will include seven sessions on themes such as Session I on "The Purdah System – Cultural Tradition or Instrument of Oppression?" chaired by Sri Sunil Jaglan @suniljaglan2021, Founder of Selfie with Daughter, Academician and Social Activist, Haryana; Session II on "Prostitution – Money, Business, Trafficking, and Morality" chaired by Ms. Nandita Baruah, Country Representative, Asia Foundation @Asia_Foundation, New Delhi; Session III on "Polygamy – Personal Choice or Patriarchal Practice?" chaired by Prof. Tahir Mahmood, Professor and Founder Chairman, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Session IV on "Pornography – Commodification of Women or Behavioural Issue of Men?" chaired by Dr. Manoj K. Sharma, Professor, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore; Session V on "Widow Remarriage – Tradition, Taboo, and Transformation" chaired by Dr. Ranjana Kumari @ranjanakumari, Founder Director, Centre for Social Research @CSR_India, New Delhi; Session VI on "Age of Consent – Developing a View on What is Right or Wrong, Acceptable or Unacceptable?" chaired by Dr. Rajesh Sagar, MD, PhD (Hon) FAMS, FIMSA, FRCP (Edin.), Professor, Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi @aiims_newdelhi; and Session VII on "Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) – Beyond the Battlefield" chaired by Ms. Rita Manchanda, Former Executive Director, South Asia Forum of Human Rights, New Delhi. The Conference will include eminent speakers from eight countries across five continents where issues pertaining to women being covered in the Conference are prominent. There will be a total of 31 speakers representing various disciplines/professions such as gender studies, psychology, media, legal, academia, think tanks, NGOs, military, UN, and International Relations. Welcome Remarks will be delivered by Ms. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Acting Director General, ICWA. Details 👉 bit.ly/46QgRwK

Listen to our panellists Amb. Rakesh Sood @rakeshnms, Former Permanent Representative of India to the Conference on Disarmament, Former Special Envoy of the PM on Non-Proliferation & Disarmament; Prof. Rajesh Rajagopalan @RRajagopalanJNU, Professor, Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Dr. Rajiv Nayan @rajivnayanidsa, Senior Research Associate, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis @IDSAIndia; and Prof. Reshmi Kazi @reshmikazi, Department of Political Science, Jamia Millia Islamia University @jmiu_official, New Delhi and in-house expert Mukesh Kumar @strikermukesh, Research Associate, ICWA as they share their insights on the sidelines of the #ICWA panel discussion on "The Nuclear Flux: Changing Dynamics of Global Politics" on 24 September 2025 in conversation with Ms. Avni Sablok @SablokAvni, Research Associate & Social Media Coordinator, ICWA. Watch the full panel discussion on our YouTube Channel 👉 @ICWANewDelhi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ICWANewDelhi #PanelDiscussion #SapruHouse #Geopolitics #GlobalAffairs #ForeignPolicy @MEAIndia @indiandiplomats @IndianDiplomacy @IndiainPakistan