About the Initiative

2022 is a year of milestones for India. On August 15, India will celebrate 75 years of independence and on December 1, India will officially assume the G-20 presidency for the first time. To put a spotlight on India in the world, Asia Society is proud to announce the Spotlight on India initiative.

The Spotlight on India, running from July 2022 through June 2023, combines Asia Society’s traditional strength of cultural and policy focused convening with a global, virtual platform to showcase the work that Asia Society, Asia Society Policy Institute, and our 14 centers are doing on India this year. We are hosting a wide range of events, including our traditional partnership with the Jaipur Literature Festival in September, as well as Asia Society’s annual Diwali celebration. Additional events will be held throughout the year focusing on geopolitics, business, and arts & culture.

Beyond events, the Spotlight on India will highlight Asia Society and Asia Society Policy Institute’s ongoing analysis of India. India is a key player in the climate change debate, and Asia Society Policy Institute’s Net Zero commission is bringing together political, financial, and business leaders to lay out a roadmap for countries such as India to reap the benefits of greater climate action today. Additionally, the competitive nature of India’s bilateral relationship with China promises to be one of the most consequential over the next decade; already it has contributed to the rebirth of the Quad, and strengthened the U.S.-India relationship. As India turns 75, the time to understand India’s foreign policy has never been more important.

To strengthen that understanding, Asia Society is proud to announce the opening of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s office in New Delhi, a subsidiary of Asia Society India Center in Mumbai. Dr. C. Raja Mohan, one of India’s foremost strategic thinkers, will lead ASPI’s work in New Delhi, leveraging Asia Society’s global presence to promote an increased awareness of India’s strategic priorities and decision-making.

Read the announcement here.