Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) announce partnership for inaugural edition of Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI)

1. At a Glance

• Raisina SDI is a new India-led platform on science diplomacy, launched jointly by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) as a dedicated track within the Raisina Dialogue [1][2].
• It institutionalises India's pitch to shape global governance of disruptive technologies (AI, quantum, biotech) in an era of strategic autonomy and a multipolar S&T order [2].
• Examinable angle: intersection of GS-II (international relations) and GS-III (Sci-Tech, R&D); pairs with Raisina Dialogue, ITES-Quantum, and India's tech-diplomacy posture.

2. Why in the News

• On 8 January 2026, OPSA and ORF announced a partnership for the inaugural Raisina SDI (2026); jointly announced by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (PSA) and Dr. Samir Saran (President, ORF) at the Office of PSA [1].
• The inaugural edition was convened on 5 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, alongside Raisina Dialogue 2026 [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• Raisina Dialogue — India's flagship geopolitics/geoeconomics conference, hosted by MEA + ORF since 2016.
• Office of the PSA — set up in November 1999; current PSA is Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (since April 2022).
• OPSA's prior science-diplomacy footprint includes the International Technology Engagement Strategy (ITES) for Quantum (first edition released by OPSA) and the International S&T Clusters Conference [S3 search].
• Raisina SDI is positioned as an annual future-facing platform within Raisina Dialogue [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Initiative: Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI), inaugural edition 2026 [1].
• Partners: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA), GoI + Observer Research Foundation (ORF) [1].
• Date of inaugural convening: 5 March 2026 [2].
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi [2].
• Chair: Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, PSA to GoI [2].
• Co-chairs: Sir Peter Gluckman (President, International Science Council); Prof. Marilyne Andersen (Director General, Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator – GESDA); Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale (In-charge, Foreign Affairs Dept., BJP) [2].
• Format: closed-door; ~80 participants — scientists, innovators, diplomats, science-diplomacy scholars/practitioners [2].
• OPSA officials present at announcement: Dr. Parvinder Maini (Scientific Secretary), Dr. Preeti Banzal (Adviser/Scientist G), Dr. B. Chagun Basha (Chief Policy Adviser); ORF — Ms. Tanoubi Ngangom (Chief of Staff & Director) [1].
• Thematic pillars: (i) S&T diplomacy under strategic autonomy; (ii) governance of disruptive & emerging technologies; (iii) S&T partnerships in a multipolar world [2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Geopolitical / Strategic
• Embeds science diplomacy in India's foreign-policy toolkit at a time of tech-decoupling (US–China), export controls on semiconductors, and contested AI norms [2].

• Signals India's bid for agenda-setting on tech governance — parallels GPAI, Quad CETF, I2U2 tech track.

• Scientific / Technological

• Brings ISC (global federation of scientific bodies) and GESDA (Swiss anticipatory science-diplomacy platform) into the Indian discourse [2].

• Complements OPSA's ITES-Quantum strategy and S&T clusters work.

• Governance / Administrative

• Co-led by a government office (OPSA) and a private think-tank (ORF) — Track-1.5 model; raises questions on transparency of closed-door diplomacy.

• Reinforces OPSA's role as inter-ministerial science coordinator (cross-cuts MEA, DST, DBT, MeitY, ISRO, DRDO).

• Economic — relevant to access to critical & emerging technologies (CETs), supply chains for semiconductors, rare earths, green-tech IP.

• Ethical — anticipatory governance of dual-use tech (AI weapons, gene editing, synthetic biology) is a stated focus [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 8 Jan 2026 — OPSA–ORF partnership for inaugural Raisina SDI announced [1].
• 5 Mar 2026 — Inaugural Raisina SDI convened at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on theme of Strategic Autonomy and Disruptive Technologies [2].
• Mar 2026 — Raisina Dialogue 2026 hosts PM's address; SDI runs as a dedicated track [2].
• Earlier OPSA releases (2024-25): ITES for Quantum (1st edition) and International S&T Clusters Conference [search results].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Raisina SDI launched by OPSA + ORF, not by MEA directly [1].
• Inaugural edition: 5 March 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi [2].
• Current PSA to GoI: Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood [1].
• President, ORF: Dr. Samir Saran [1].
• Co-chair Sir Peter Gluckman heads the International Science Council (ISC) [2].
• GESDA = Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator, headed by Prof. Marilyne Andersen [2].
• Office of the PSA established in 1999.
• Raisina Dialogue is co-hosted by MEA + ORF since 2016 (parent forum).
• SDI is envisioned as an annual platform [2].
• OPSA released first edition of ITES for Quantum — flagship tech-diplomacy doc.
• Thematic focus of SDI 2026: Strategic Autonomy and Disruptive Technologies [2].
• Participation: ~80 scientists, diplomats, scholars, closed-door [2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II — "Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests"; "India and its neighbourhood".
• GS-III — "Science and Technology — developments and their applications and effects in everyday life"; "Indigenisation of technology and developing new technology".
• Probable stems: 1. "Science diplomacy is emerging as a fourth pillar of India's foreign policy. Examine in light of recent institutional initiatives." (GS-II/III) 2. "Discuss the role of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser in coordinating India's international technology engagement." (GS-III) 3. "In an era of disruptive technologies and strategic autonomy, evaluate India's institutional readiness to shape global tech governance." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Raisina Dialogue — parent forum; MEA-ORF flagship.
• Office of the PSA & PM-STIAC — apex S&T advisory architecture.
• ITES for Quantum (OPSA) — sectoral tech-diplomacy doc.
• International Science Council (ISC) & GESDA — global science-diplomacy bodies.
• Quad Critical & Emerging Tech (CET) WG, iCET (India-US), TTC (India-EU) — analogous tech-diplomacy platforms.
• National Quantum Mission, IndiaAI Mission, National Deep Tech Startup Policy — domestic feedstock for diplomacy.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), 2023 — R&D governance.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• SDI is led by OPSA (PMO), not MEA, though it sits inside the Raisina Dialogue ecosystem run with MEA.
• ORF is a private think-tank, not a government body — Raisina is Track-1.5, not a treaty forum.
• Do not confuse GESDA (Geneva) with WEF Davos or CERN — GESDA is a Swiss-government-backed anticipatory science-diplomacy foundation.
• PSA is Ajay Kumar Sood, not K. VijayRaghavan (his predecessor till 2022).
• Raisina SDI ≠ Raisina Dialogue itself; it is a dedicated track within it.