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On 23 June 2025, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted a delegation of 45 student leaders as part of the InternNation Leadership Tour’25, an initiative of Chhatra Sansad. The InternNation Leadership Tour’25 is a week-long journey through Delhi, Dehradun, and Mussoorie designed to expose students to India’s policy, governance, and leadership ecosystems. It aims to create a vibrant network of future leaders who can learn from senior policymakers, civil servants, and institutional thinkers. The visiting group comprised students from leading institutions across India, including IITs, IIMs, NLUs, and other prestigious universities, representing all 28 states of the country.

The interaction began with opening remarks by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, who welcomed the students and underscored the need for young minds to think strategically about India’s future. He emphasized that India’s civilizational depth and democratic experience offer a unique model for the world and encouraged the students to embody those values in their leadership journey. This was followed by a series of brief thematic presentations by VIF scholars and faculty. Mr Saudiptendu Ray, Research Associate, introduced the philosophical and spiritual legacy of Swami Vivekananda and its relevance to youth leadership. Dr J.R. Bhatt, Distinguished Fellow, reflected on the convergence of youth aspirations, civilizational values, and the environment, highlighting the need for sustainability rooted in Indian ethos. Ms. Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, discussed India’s growing leadership role in the Global South and the importance of south-south cooperation. Mr Sudhir Saxena, Senior Fellow, explored the critical link between emerging technologies and strategic affairs, and how youth can play a role in shaping this intersection.

The remarks were followed by an engaging Q&A session, during which delegates posed thought-provoking questions, shared their perspectives, and interacted actively with the VIF panel.