Date: 16th April 2025
Venue: Yuva Patha, Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Organized by: School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Chanakya University
The School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Chanakya University successfully hosted a compelling edition of Chanakya Samvad, a flagship intellectual forum for dialogue and debate. The theme of this edition, “The World Order in Flux”, addressed the pressing and dynamic issues shaping contemporary international relations and global power structures.
The panel featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and was attended by students, faculty, scholars, and members of the public, reflecting the growing interest in geopolitical studies in an era of uncertainty and transformation.
Panelists
- Dr. Cord Jakobeit, Professor of Political Sciences, University of Hamburg
- Prof. Saurav Sarma, Assistant Professor, School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Chanakya University
- Smt. Shanthala Dharmaraj, Senior Journalist, Bengaluru
Moderator
- Dr. Charu Ratna Dubey, Assistant Professor, International Relations, School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Chanakya University
Discussion Overview
The session opened with welcome remarks and an introduction to the theme by Dr. Charu Ratna Dubey, who provided context on the current global uncertainties — from shifting alliances and emerging multipolarity to the role of non-state actors and the digital domain in global diplomacy.
Key Highlights of the Discussion
- Dr. Cord Jakobeit brought a global academic perspective to the discussion, examining the structural changes in the international system post the Cold War. He spoke about the decline of unipolarity, the rise of China and other regional powers, and the potential fragmentation of global governance mechanisms. He emphasized the need for renewed multilateralism and democratic accountability in global institutions.
- Prof. Saurav Sarma contextualized the flux in world order through the lens of South Asia and India’s strategic positioning. He discussed India’s role as a balancing power amidst US-China tensions, and the complexities of maintaining non-alignment in an increasingly polarized world. He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and India’s civilizational contributions to global diplomacy.
- Smt. Shanthala Dharmaraj, drawing on her experience as a journalist, provided a grounded, media-centric view of how public narratives around international politics are shaped. She discussed how media portrayal influences public perception of international events, and the responsibility of journalism in times of misinformation, conflict, and political unrest.
Throughout the session, panelists also addressed the Ukraine conflict, shifting economic alliances, climate diplomacy, and the rising role of technology and AI in geopolitics. Audience engagement was high, with questions exploring topics like India’s diplomatic strategy, the future of the United Nations, and the implications of a digital cold war.
The panel discussion concluded with a call for continuous academic engagement on global issues and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding international affairs. Dr. Dubey thanked the panelists and participants for their insights and emphasized the role of platforms like Chanakya Samvad in fostering informed dialogue.
The event was a resounding success and highlighted Chanakya University’s commitment to thought leadership and intellectual discourse on global challenges.
