The 23rd edition of the India Today Conclave will take place on March 13–14, 2026 in New Delhi under the theme ‘Year of Breakthroughs and Breakdowns.’ Widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential geopolitical and thought-leadership summits, the conclave has, for more than two decades, positioned itself as ‘The Intelligence Exchange’, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, innovators and cultural voices to discuss the ideas shaping the world.

According to a press release, the conclave returns at a time when the global order is undergoing significant recalibration across geopolitics, technology and economics. The event will bring together an extensive gathering of decision-makers, entrepreneurs and thinkers to deliberate on the forces redefining nations, markets and societies.

The theme for the 2026 edition reflects the paradox of the present global moment. While the world is witnessing rapid breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, technological innovation and economic transformation, it is also grappling with multiple disruptions including geopolitical rivalries, supply-chain challenges, climate pressures and institutional stress. The conclave aims to explore how leadership and institutions can transform such disruptions into sustainable progress while navigating an increasingly complex global environment.

Against this backdrop, discussions at the event will bring together perspectives from diplomacy, governance, enterprise and culture. The sessions are expected to reflect the dynamics of a multipolar world where economic corridors are evolving, strategic partnerships are shifting and nations are recalibrating the balance between cooperation, competition and sovereignty.

Among the prominent speakers expected at the conclave are Piyush Goyal, India’s Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology. Diplomats participating include Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of Germany to India; Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India; Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to India; and Hadi Jaber, Ambassador of Lebanon to India, among others.

The conclave will also feature voices from politics and governance including K. C. Venugopal, Manickam Tagore and Tamilisai Soundararajan, alongside defence and security experts such as Raj Shukla. Conversations across these sessions are expected to address evolving geopolitical dynamics and India’s role in the changing world order.

The event will further host leading personalities from the entertainment and cultural space, including actors Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Suniel Shetty. Business leaders and entrepreneurs such as Anil Agarwal of the Vedanta Group and Karan Adani of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone will also participate in discussions around industry, innovation and economic transformation.

In addition to geopolitical and economic themes, the conclave will feature conversations around technology, entrepreneurship, defence, wellness and cultural transformation, bringing together figures such as Maye Musk, Pico Iyer and Melati Wijsen.

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, climate imperatives redefine policy priorities and geopolitical alignments continue to evolve, the India Today Conclave aims to once again serve as a platform where leaders and thinkers debate the ideas that will shape the coming decade. With its blend of political leadership, business insight and cultural dialogue, the summit continues to position itself as a major forum for discussions on India’s expanding influence in a rapidly changing global landscape.