“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is the only sustainable path to global peace and coexistence” — Dr Indresh Kumar
New Delhi, February 6: The 6th Himalayan–Hind Oceanic Nations Group (Himalayan–Hind Oceanic Nations Group – HHRS) International Conference 2026 was ceremoniously inaugurated today at the Convention Centre of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. The two-day international conference is being jointly organised by the Himalayan–Hind Oceanic Nations Group (HHRS) and the Rashtriya Suraksha Jagran Manch (RSJM).
The conference is being held with the collaboration of the Centre of Russian Studies (CRS), School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies (SLL&CS), Inter-Hall Administration (IHA), Jawaharlal Nehru University; Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia; and the Centre for Himalayan Studies, University of Delhi.
The central theme of the conference is “India’s Geopolitical and Strategic Significance in the Indian Ocean Region.”
The inaugural session commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp followed by Saraswati Vandana. The dignitaries were felicitated with ceremonial stoles and mementoes. The Chief Speaker of the inaugural session was Dr Indresh Kumar, Member of the National Executive of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Chief Patron of the Rashtriya Suraksha Jagran Manch. The Special Guest was renowned media academic Prof Dr K. G. Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre.
The event witnessed the presence of eminent academicians, policymakers, defence experts and scholars including Prof Mazhar Asif (Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia), Prof Mohammad Mahtab Alam Rizvi (Registrar, Jamia Millia Islamia), Prof Manuradha Chaudhary, Dr Ritesh Kumar Rai, Prof Gurmeet Singh (Former Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University), Mr Jasbir Singh, Mr Golok Bihari Rai, Mr Vikramaditya Singh, Lieutenant General (Dr) Arvinder Singh Lamba, Major General (Dr) Soresh Bhattacharya, Prof Abuzar Khairi, Prof Rajiv Nayan, Prof Aslam Khan, Prof V. N. Pandey, Prof Naveed Jamal, Rajesh Mahajan, Puneet Nanda, Mandeep Kumar Agrawal, Chhatar Singh, Dr Anshul Garg, Dr Pooja, Mayank Shekhar, along with several distinguished guests from India and abroad.
In his inaugural address, Dr Indresh Kumar stated that India’s civilisational ethos is deeply rooted in the ideals of Vishvabandhutva and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which envision the entire humanity as one family. He emphasised that if societies internalise mutual respect, compassion and cooperation, conflicts and violence would naturally diminish. The reciprocal duty of respect, care and goodwill among human beings, he said, can become the foundation of global peace.
He further noted that India has always prioritised dialogue, balance and cooperation over the exhibition of power. Even amid contemporary global tensions, India continues to offer an alternative worldview based on peace, stability and equality. Sustainable global peace, he stressed, is possible only when nations adopt coexistence and mutual respect rather than competition and confrontation.
Dr Kumar also underlined that the present moment calls for deep introspection—whether humanity can reconnect with its original cultural and civilisational consciousness. Global stature, he asserted, is not built merely through military or economic strength but through values, ethics and cultural self-confidence. Blind imitation of others risks eroding one’s own unique identity. He emphasised the need to understand India’s history, traditions and intellectual heritage from an indigenous perspective and to provide future generations with factual, balanced and original historical narratives. Development, he added, must be nurturing rather than destructive.
Special Guest Prof Dr K. G. Suresh highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the Indian Ocean Region, noting that it spans nearly 68 million square kilometres and serves as the lifeline of global maritime trade, with nearly 80 per cent of the world’s seaborne trade passing through it. He recalled that in ancient times, India’s maritime trade extended to East Africa, the Arab world and Southeast Asia, fostering deep cultural and civilisational exchanges. In the post-independence period, India has consistently strengthened its maritime capabilities and regional balance.
Prof Manuradha Chaudhary observed that India’s outlook has always been inclusive and grounded in human values. Indian traders, sailors and scholars historically carried not only goods but also language, culture, yoga, philosophy and ethical values across regions. India’s relationship with the Indian Ocean Region, she noted, is deeply rooted at historical, cultural and intellectual levels.
Prof Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, stated that the true strength of any civilisation lies in its capacity for dialogue, communication and messaging. Indian culture, he said, has consistently prioritised dialogue over conflict. India’s spiritual and philosophical traditions promote unity and harmony rather than division. In the contemporary global context, cultural diplomacy, dialogue and mutual respect are the most effective instruments for sustainable peace and cooperation.
Prof Mohammad Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia, explained that the concept of HHRS was developed in 2019 after extensive research and deliberations with the objective of reviving historical and cultural connectivity from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean. He pointed out that the histories and cultures of the 54 countries associated with HHRS exhibit numerous commonalities.
Lieutenant General (Dr) Arvinder Singh Lamba stated that the Indian Ocean is not merely a geographical entity but a symbol of strategic centrality. India’s geographical position provides it with significant diplomatic and strategic advantages in the region. In the coming years, he noted, the importance of the region will further increase in terms of maritime security, energy supply chains and global trade, necessitating coordinated security frameworks and multilateral cooperation.
Mr Jasbir Singh remarked that India’s real strength lies in its culture, philosophy and spiritual consciousness. India has never pursued an expansionist approach; instead, it has prioritised civilisational dialogue and human values. He emphasised that India should be understood not merely as a nation-state but as a living civilisation that has guided the world toward balance, coexistence and ethical leadership for centuries.
The programme was also addressed by Golok Bihari Rai, Vikramaditya Singh, Dr Ritesh Kumar Rai, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Dr Yogesh Kumar Rai, among others. The academic sessions featured in-depth deliberations on “Historical and Cultural Linkages between India and the Indian Ocean Region.” The session was chaired by Major General Anuj Mathur and moderated by Dr Binish Maryam. Captain Gurpreet Singh, Prof G. Kuppuram, Dr Kumari Mansi, Dr Raj Verma and Prof Joebe B. Santarita presented research papers highlighting ancient maritime routes, cultural exchanges, religious influences and historical connections.
The second academic session focused on “Shared and Comprehensive Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.” Chaired by Lieutenant General (Dr) Arvinder Singh Lamba, the session featured presentations by Commodore R. Seshadri Vasan, Dr Amit Singh, Dr Irshad Ahmad, Dr Raj Kumar Kothari and Dr Punsara Amarasinghe, who examined contemporary issues such as maritime security, strategic competition, energy route protection, regional cooperation, terrorism and the Indo-Pacific landscape.
The conference concluded with a cultural evening followed by high tea, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India and the Indian Ocean Region. The event emerged as a powerful symbol of international harmony, cultural dialogue and academic collaboration
