By — Shyamal Sinha
Nalanda University, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), today inaugurated the 8th edition of the India Think Tank Forum (ITTF) 2026 at its campus in Rajgir, Bihar. The two-day Forum brings together leading policy thinkers, academics and institutional leaders from across India to deliberate on the theme “India in a Changing World: Building Inner Resilience.”
The inaugural proceedings opened with welcome remarks emphasizing the need for global responses rooted in oneness, drawing inspiration from Nalanda’s civilizational legacy as a space of dialogue, debate and plural knowledge traditions.
A special In-Conversation session on “20 Years of BRICS” featured Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University and Dr. Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, moderated by Dr. Harsh V. Pant, Vice President, ORF. The discussion reflected on Nalanda’s historical role in integrating natural sciences, human sciences, philosophy, and ethics- invoking the legacy of Acharya Nagarjuna, the Tetralemma and the concept of Shunyata, as pathways to reducing contemporary epistemic divides.
Speakers highlighted Nalanda’s fivefold intellectual spirit, its commitment to reviving a culture of structured debate and its contemporary role as a Buddhist university that historically taught all branches of knowledge. The launch of “Gyna Bharatam”, the richness of the Nalanda University Library, and the University’s strong emphasis on climate responsibility and sustainability were also underscored.
Deliberations on BRICS, global governance, climate finance and development finance institutions referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks at the Brazil Summit, emphasizing resilience through cooperation, the LiFE movement, scientific and social responsibility, and the need to align research, innovation and sustainability (RRI & SRI). The role of academia and think tanks in strengthening the Global South, advancing science diplomacy, and embedding ethics and philosophy in technological and economic progress was repeatedly highlighted.
Key Takeaways from the Inaugural Day
- Resilience through Integration: India’s inner resilience must be intellectual and ethical, bridging science, society, philosophy and sustainability- drawing lessons from Nalanda’s civilisational knowledge systems.
- BRICS for the Global South: BRICS has evolved from self-sufficiency to inclusive growth, requiring renewed institutional strength, enhanced R&D, and deeper cooperation led by the Global South.
- Ideas to Action: Think tanks, academia, and social enterprises must work together to translate ideas into solutions- anchored in values, sustainability, and responsible innovation.
The inaugural day of the 8th India Think Tank Forum concluded with a cultural programme. Over the course of the day, the Forum featured seven substantive sessions, including the inaugural address, thematic panels, and the In-Conversation dialogue, collectively setting the intellectual tone for deliberations for the next day.
