Event Details

The year 2024 has been a bumper year of elections, encapsulating the term "vote-a-rama". Countries with a combined 50% of the world's population have gone to the polls this year. This incredible statistic needs to be considered in the context of the state of democracy globally, but also in terms of the implications of some of the election results.


Europe's busy electoral summer led to a renewed focus on advancing the region's competitiveness via a new trade policy and industrial strategy for areas such as clean tech and electric vehicles (EVs). The EU's increased tariffs on Chinese EVs, for example, could have implications for EV exports to India. Taiwan appointed a new president in May that largely conveyed a period of policy continuity but regional tensions in the South China sea continue to dominate geopolitical concerns for India and its neighbours. Japan will also go to polls before year-end to elect a new prime minister. Defence and supply-chain ties with key partners like India and Europe will be a priority.


The most anticipated election result remains in doubt. The November 2024 US presidential election will have wide-reaching implications for geopolitics and the global economy. If elected, Mr Trump would drive some important shifts in US policy, including the introduction of new import tariffs and tighter immigration policies. We would also expect intensified pressure on US allies to increase their defence spending. By contrast, a victory by Ms Harris would provide continuity with the current Democratic administration's policies. In either case, competition with China will remain a focus.


The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network's "Global Elections and Policy Watch" event will explore how polling outcomes in the West and closer home to India will shape international trade and policy.


Join us for an engaging programme discussing these questions and more:


  • Geopolitical risks will dominate trade conversations with the US and supply chain partners in Asia. What are the risks and opportunities for India?
  • How will US immigration and border policies change under each candidate and could be the global spillovers?
  • What is the future of US and EU trade policy, and how will it affect India and other Asian countries?
  • What is the future of India's diplomatic and defence bonds with the US and key trade partners in Asia?


Agenda

18:30 - 18:45
Arrival, registration
18:45 - 18:50
Welcome address
18:50 - 19:20
Keynote presentation by EIU: "Trump vs Harris: implications for trade, economy and policy"
19:20 - 20:00
Panel discussion: "Shifting geopolitics: what it means for India and Indian businesses"
20:00 - 20:10
Closing remarks
20:10 - 20:40
Networking: Join us for a walk around the museum

Speakers

  • Sanjiv Arora (Former secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India)

    Sanjiv Arora

    Former secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India

    Sanjiv Arora joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1984 and served in various capacities in New Delhi and abroad, starting with his first posting in Egypt and signing off at the senior most level as Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs. In his last posting, he had the privilege of being a member of Government of India’s Group of Secretaries on Governance issues.

    During his long career, Ambassador Arora has practiced diplomacy in various forms and manifestations. In all his postings, he was able to quickly establish swift access to and close and enduring rapport with important stake holders and interlocutors at various levels in diverse spheres, including government; politics; security & defence; business; media; universities, think tanks & research organisations; arts & culture; community fora; diplomatic corp, etc. Ambassador Arora has extensively participated in bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral negotiations, covering a wide spectrum of issues, in various formats and settings, including during many high level visits; he has also led Government of India’s delegations on multiple occasions.

    Among his many assignments, Mr Arora served as Acting Consul General during the Gulf War, longest serving Commercial Representative in Germany, Consul General in USA with responsibilities spanning Texas and eight other States, longest serving Ambassador to Qatar, Ambassador to Lebanon and finally, as Secretary in MEA. He has also been actively involved in multilateral diplomacy, having served as Head of United Nations (Political) Division in MEA for nearly 4 years. Mr Sanjiv Arora also has experience of India’s immediate neighbourhood—he was Desk Officer for Sri Lanka in MEA and later, Counsellor in Colombo. He is among the few IFS officers to have been deputed to Ministry of Finance.
    Ambassador Sanjiv Arora has dealt with economic, commercial, energy and development cooperation issues extensively and substantively during his diplomatic career. The other areas of his distinctive specialisation include, besides India’s relations with the countries where he has served, the Middle East, multilateral diplomacy, and people-centric areas of consular and global diaspora, including mobility and migration.

    At the end of his tenure to Qatar, HH The Emir of Qatar honoured Ambassador Sanjiv Arora with ‘Sash of Merit’ for his contribution to enhancing bilateral ties.

    Mr Arora is a Life Member of United Service Institution of India (USI), Associate Member of Institute of Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses New Delhi, Associate of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru and Fellow of Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies (APCSS), Honolulu, USA.

    After having topped both in Pre-Engg and BA (Hons) from Panjab University, followed by MBA from the same university, Mr Arora served in the corporate sector and RBI before joining the IFS.

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  • Asif Chaudhury (MD & SVP at The Economist Group)

    Asif Chaudhury

    MD & SVP at The Economist Group

    Asif is currently the SVP and Managing Director for Economist Intelligence and Economist Impact Events in Asia, also overseeing the Asia region and offices for The Economist Group. Before this role, he served as Managing Director for EuroFinance, Commercial Payments International, and Signal Noise. Prior to moving to London, Asif spent five years in Dubai, where he was General Manager for the Middle East & Africa region for the Group, as well as Regional Director for EMEA for Economist Intelligence's Consulting business, overseeing commercial and editorial teams across the region. Before joining The Economist Group, he held senior commercial positions at Euromonitor International and Corporate Executive Board (now Gartner). Born in Luxembourg, Asif has lived worldwide following his studies in Economics and Mathematics, including in Washington DC, Johannesburg, Dubai, London, and now Singapore.

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  • JS Deepak (Group Director of Bharti Enterprises)

    JS Deepak

    Group Director of Bharti Enterprises

    Mr. J.S. Deepak is the Group Director, International Strategy and Public Policy at Bharti Enterprises.

    A retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Deepak has many decades of experience working for Government of India, especially in economic Ministries including as Secretary Telecom & IT, and Ambassador of India to the World Trade Organization (WTO) at Geneva.

    Deepak served as a Secretary and Joint Secretary, Telecom, Government of India, wherein he was responsible for the formulation of telecom policy and reforms in the sector. He spearheaded various initiatives for improving telecom regulation and led the team that designed and conducted the first spectrum auction in India in 2010. He also pioneered harmonization, sharing and trading of spectrum in the country.

    As Secretary, Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY), Deepak led India's efforts in Internet Governance and anchored the Digital India Programme and facilitation of IT/ITeS sector. He was also involved in Aadhar enrolment and expanding its use for improvement of governance including for e-KYC in the telecom sector.

    He was India’s Chief Negotiator at the WTO, for the RCEP agreement and the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and led trade negotiations in agriculture, manufactured products, services, rules, tariffs and subsidies and articulated the Indian position on e-commerce and investment. As Joint and Additional Secretary Commerce, Government of India (GOI), he dealt with trade policy, export promotion of electronics, pharmaceuticals, tea, coffee, spices, agriculture products and services.

    Deepak is the Chairman of Bharti Hexacom Limited, a listed group company, that provides services in Rajasthan and the North-East under the Airtel brand. He also serves on the Board of Indus Towers Limited, the Governing Council of the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, ISB Mohali and the Bharti Airtel Foundation.

    Deepak is an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad and has been invited to lecture on subjects related to management, trade, telecom and communication at various leading institutions and international fora.

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  • Upasana Dutt (Head of India at The Economist Group)

    Upasana Dutt

    Head of India at The Economist Group

    Upasana Dutt is Head of India for The Economist Group, where she leads a team of experts specialising in business intelligence, strategic analysis, and research and policy insights. Her team focuses on delivering valuable insights, informing policies and driving business growth. Throughout her tenure with the Group, Upasana has successfully led editorial teams and spearheaded global products, particularly in the fields of city living and speaker bureau. Her strategic acumen has played a key role in shaping new product strategies, while fostering meaningful client relationships through engaging discussions tailored to their specific needs.

    Upasana remains actively engaged in client interactions, hosting external discussions that centre on India’s evolving role in the global landscape. Her understanding of the Indian market, and experience of working with global experts, positions her as a trusted advisor to clients seeking insights into India’s potential and its impact on the global landscape.

    Upasana also leads the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network in India. She is creating a CEO forum which brings together business leaders, policymakers and insights from Economist Intelligence together, creating a meaningful platform for thought leadership and engagement.

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  • John Ferguson (Global lead for New Globalisation at The Economist Group)

    John Ferguson

    Global lead for New Globalisation at The Economist Group

    John is the lead of Economist Impact’s research on New Globalisation. He is responsible for leading and developing Impact’s research on trade, geopolitics, technology, finance, and economics. As the global economy is being transformed by multiple forces, including geopolitics, technological progress, and climate change, the research helps clients navigate these structural shifts and lead conversations towards global progress.

    A frequent public speaker, his delivery style helps to provide context to many global issues in an insightful and accessible way, supported by his 15 years in policy and economic analysis.

    At The EIU, he was Director of Country Analysis and Global Forecasting, responsible for guiding the economic and geopolitical analysis of the global economy. John holds a Master’s degree in International Economics from Sussex University, where he specialised in macroeconomics and trade, and an Honours degree in Psychology from the Australian National University.

    Areas of expertise:
    โ— Globalisation, trade and finance
    โ— Macroeconomics
    โ— Geopolitics and international relations
    โ— Foreign direct investment and supply chains

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  • Navtej Sarna (Former Indian ambassador to the US, author and columnist)

    Navtej Sarna

    Former Indian ambassador to the US, author and columnist

Venue

Kiran Nadar Museum of Art

No. 145, DLF South Court Mall, near Select Citywalk Mall, Saket District Centre, District Centre, Sector 6, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
New Delhi

If you have any questions please contact Annu Dhanda

Contact Organizer

+91 1246409309

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