- Conclave showcases powerful debates, expert panels and the launch of ‘Destination India’—shaping the roadmap for a progressive and inclusive Bharat
- AI can serve as a unifying thread for India, closing gaps between societies and fostering meaningful dialogue, collective growth, and national development: Bansuri Swaraj
- A woman can be highly educated and accomplished, yet when she attempts to progress, resistance and barriers still emerge: Mumtaz Patel
3rd edition of The India Dialogue Conclave 2025 concluded on Sunday at Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, with a series of powerful and thought-provoking discussions. The 3rd edition of the conclave was organized on the theme “The Brand Bharat”, bringing together prominent political leaders, policy experts, and thought leaders for a day of high-impact dialogue on India’s rapidly transforming socio-political and developmental landscape.
Key conversations explored crucial subjects including Urban Growth and Cultural Roads in Delhi, AI in Governance, the Need for Smart Cities, Operation Sindoor, Muslim Women in Lok Sabha, Politics in Haryana, and the launch of the book “Destination India.”
The event began with lamp lighting, followed by the first session “Master Strokes in 2025,” featuring Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Pradeep Bhandari, Aditya Raj, and Sandeep Unitha. Discussing the recent Delhi and Bihar election results, Pradeep Bhandari, National Spokesperson of BJP said, “People today have strong faith in democracy. He emphasized that citizens are confident in democratic processes, actively participating and trusting that their voice truly matters in shaping the nation’s future. Speaking on Operation Sindoor 2.0 he adds, “This reminds us of the resolve expressed by our Prime Minister—nuclear blackmail will not be tolerated, and there will be no difference between state and non-state actors. That statement was deeply analysed across the world, and it changed strategic thinking in the region. Pakistan continues to operate with a jihadi mindset and has shown no signs of reform. A nation driven by extremism cannot foster peace. India’s clarity and decisive approach are essential for long-term stability and security.”
Sharing his views Abhijit Iyer-Mitra said that a masterstroke is never accidental; it is the outcome of strong planning, strategic thinking, and effective leadership that anticipates challenges and delivers impactful results. While discussing terrorism he said, “It is important to understand the difference between insurgency and terrorism. In Kashmir today, terrorism has largely ended, but insurgency still exists. Nearly 55% of the population once depended on the terror ecosystem, including networks of confidential informers. When a majority’s livelihood is tied to terrorism, eliminating it becomes a complex challenge. True peace begins only when society chooses stability over fear and development over destruction.”
The second session, titled “Hashtags to Ballot Box: Role of Youth in Politics,” focused on the increasing participation and influence of young voices in India’s democratic processes. Distinguished speakers Charu Pragya, Saral Patel, and Abhinav Prakash shared their insights on how social media engagement is shaping political narratives and encouraging youth to transition from online activism to active participation in governance. Charu Pragya said, “Youth politics holds immense importance for us. Every year, we lead a movement that sees massive youth participation. It is essential for young voices to step forward. In Bihar too, the youth played a crucial role. Today’s generation clearly understands what is right for the nation.”
The session “Beyond Entertainment: Role of Reading” featured insightful perspectives from Aditi Maheshwari and Shantanu Roy Choudhary, moderated by Iti Khurana.
Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament from the New Delhi Constituency, shared insightful views on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in strengthening local governance. She said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that AI for India represents an aspirational India, focused on progress and innovation. He emphasized that the adoption of Artificial Intelligence will significantly enhance efficiency in governance and public service delivery. Early adoption of AI could contribute nearly 600 billion US dollars to India’s GDP, he noted. PM Modi clarified that he does not see AI as a substitute for human intelligence, but as a powerful tool to improve decision-making and productivity. In local governance, AI is transforming processes—examples like the UMANG portal show how citizen services are becoming more efficient. Dashboards are turning into classrooms, enabling real-time learning and monitoring in crucial sectors like water, electricity, and infrastructure, ensuring widespread public benefit. It will make the Govt people friendly.”
She added, “AI has the power to unite India by connecting regions, languages, and communities, and by strengthening dialogue, collaboration, and progress. Viksit Bharat’s rapid growth is not just a dream but a national sankalp. Artificial Intelligence will play a crucial role in achieving this vision by boosting efficiency, enabling innovation, and accelerating development across every sector.”
Devendra Yadav, Delhi Congress President, shared his perspective on the vital role of opposition in a healthy democracy. He said, “The opposition plays a vital role in Indian politics by ensuring accountability, transparency, and balance in governance. It represents diverse public voices, raises critical issues, and questions government decisions. Through constructive criticism and debate, the opposition strengthens democratic values, protects citizen rights, and helps shape effective policies for national progress.”
The final session of the program, titled “Muslim Women in Lok Sabha,” brought together an engaging panel featuring Shazia Ilmi, Mumtaz Patel, a social activist and an active voice in public life (daughter of the late leader Ahmed Patel )and Zainab Sikandar, a renowned author, journalist & political analyst.
Speaking on the topic Mumtaz Patel said, “Even today, if you go to villages, a deeply conservative environment still exists. In public life, women inevitably face challenges—especially in a male-dominated society. Muslim women struggle with many restrictions: we are not allowed in mosques, we cannot visit graveyards because men object. When my father passed away and I went to kabristan, people talked and judged. No matter how educated you are, when women try to move forward, barriers still rise before them.”
Zainab Sikandar said, “In many parties, leadership is still male-dominated and rooted in farmer bases—yet how many women farmer leaders do we actually see? If we remove dynastic families, very few women from ordinary households enter politics. Why don’t major political parties nurture women leaders? Even in Bihar, NDA’s victory was shaped by women voters. I offer namaz, I fast, and I may not wear a dupatta—does that make me less Muslim? Our identity is not defined by how we look.”
Swati Sharma, Organizer, India Dialogue Conclave 2025 said, “India Dialogue Conclave is our humble effort to bring meaningful and responsible conversations into the mainstream. With ‘The Brand Bharat’ as this year’s theme, our aim was to create a platform where leaders, experts and young voices could exchange ideas that shape the future of our nation. We believe discussions around governance, culture, technology, and social transformation are essential for building a stronger and more inclusive Bharat. The overwhelming response and participation reaffirm our belief that informed dialogue is the strongest foundation of democracy.”
In the event, the book written by the founder of the event Swati Sharma and advertising expert Sarvesh Tiwari, “Destination India” was launched by Bansuri Swaraj. The book is a journey to insight how the branding and remarkable advertising of Indian cities boosted tourism in India and made place for India on the global tourism map.
The India Dialogue Conclave 2025 concluded on a promising and optimistic note, celebrating a day filled with insightful conversations, bold ideas, and diverse perspectives that truly captured the spirit of The Brand Bharat.
