ICSSR-sponsored programme on geopolitics for teachers begins at Jamia Millia Islamia
New Delhi, May 4
Thirty early-career faculty members from universities and research institutes across India joined a two-week capacity building programme on "Geopolitics in the 21st Century: Global Trends, Regional Dynamics, and Implications for India", at the Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday, an official said.
"The programme inaugurated at the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Academy of International Studies is sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and aims to cover a wide range of themes, including maritime geopolitics and geoeconomic," an official statement said.
The programme is being organised jointly by Professor Mujib Alam, MMAJ-AIS Course Director; and Professor Sujata Ashwarya, Co-Course Director for JMI's Centre for West Asian Studies.
"The 12-day programme was inaugurated by Professor Zubair Meenai, Dean of JMI's Faculty of Social Sciences," the statement said.
Talmiz Ahmad, former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, delivered the Inaugural Lecture as the Guest of Honour.
Professor Ajay Darshan Behera, MMAJ Academy of International Studies Director, chaired the session.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Meenai highlighted the importance of ICSSR's investment in capacity building for early-career academics and emphasised the interdisciplinary relevance of geopolitics for social science scholarship.
Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, drawing on his distinguished diplomatic career spanning over three decades, offered insights into the evolving contours of global geopolitics and India's role in the changing world order.
The programme, running from May 4 to 16, 2026, brings together 30 early-career faculty members from universities, colleges, and research institutes across India.
"Over 12 working days, participants will attend 36 sessions covering a wide range of themes, including maritime geopolitics, geoeconomics, energy politics, counter-terrorism, nuclear geopolitics, cultural diplomacy, the geopolitics of West Asia, Africa, Europe, Eurasia, and the Americas, as well as India's strategic positioning in the contemporary global order," a statement said.
In line with ICSSR guidelines, the programme also features dedicated sessions on research methodology, the use of quantitative data in social science research, academic writing, library and e-library resources, Indian Knowledge Systems, and decolonial frameworks in social science research.
The programme features more than 25 distinguished resource persons from leading institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jadavpur University, the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Banaras Hindu University, Doon University, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, South Asian University, the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the Vivekananda International Foundation, O.P. Jindal Global University and Jamia Millia Islamia.
"The valedictory address on May 16 will be delivered by Arvind Gupta, Vivekananda International Foundation Director and former Deputy National Security Advisor of India," the statement added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
A 12-day programme with 36 sessions sounds intense but valuable! I'm particularly glad they have included sessions on research methodology and decolonial frameworks. Too often, Indian academics just copy Western models without adapting them to our context. Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad's lecture must have been fascinating—he has incredible experience in West Asia. Kudos to Jamia for hosting this. 👏
This looks like a fantastic initiative. I wish more universities in the US had such focused programmes on geopolitics. The inclusion of Indian Knowledge Systems alongside contemporary global dynamics is a unique blend. It shows India is serious about shaping its own intellectual discourse while engaging with the world. The faculty lineup from JNU, BHU, and Jindal Global is impressive. Best wishes to all participants!
While the programme seems well-structured, I wonder how much practical learning actually happens in such two-week workshops. Often, they become just a series of lectures without deep engagement. Also, the fee must be substantial—I hope ICSSR has ensured access for teachers from smaller colleges, not just elite institutions. Still, any effort to improve academic quality is welcome, so let's hope for the best.
Great to see such interdisciplinary approach—linking geopolitics with economics, energy, and cultural diplomacy. These are exactly the skills our young faculty need to understand India's place in a multipolar world. Having former diplomats like Ambassador Ahmad and former Deputy NSA Arvind Gupta involved adds immense practical value. This is how we build the next generation of foreign policy thinkers. 🌏
Impressive initiative
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