Eurasia to be focus of 2019 Raisina Dialogue

The Eurasian region will be the focus of this year's Raisina Dialogue, a three-day annual multilateral conference starting on Tuesday that would addresses the major issues facing the global community.

"Over the three days, we have curated over 85 sets of interactions, discussions, key notes and conversations with a community of global leaders and experts in an attempt to paint a picture of a new world order that is rapidly emerging," said Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the think tank that organises the conference in collaboration with the External Affairs Ministry.

"A prominent feature of this year's conversation at Raisina is Europe or more broadly, Eurasia," Saran said.

"This super-continent is without doubt the most dynamic and unpredictable region in the world, one that continues to surprise itself and others around it."

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg will deliver the inaugural address of the Dialogue on Tuesday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat and Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Sunil Lanba will also speak at the conference.

The theme of this year's Dialogue is "A World Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes".

"The discussions will seek to address issues arising from ongoing global transitions and changes to the world order, triggered by unique leaders, innovative partnerships and new technologies," a statement from the External Affairs Ministry said.

"The Dialogue, which has grown steadily in scope and scale since the first edition in 2015, will bring together over 600 delegates from 93 countries, including influential political leaders, strategic thinkers, policy practitioners, technology innovators, business representatives and academics on a common platform where they will offer their vision and propose solutions that will serve us all in the decades ahead," it added.

--IANS

ab/nir