Kochi Dialogue to be held from Nov 18-20
Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a Kochi-based think tank, has announced the dates for the second edition of the Kochi Dialogue. The three-day event will be held from November 18 to 20 at Taj Vivanta, Kochi, Keralam. It will be jointly organised by CPPR and the Policy Planning and Research Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The event will bring together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, investors, researchers and academics from India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to advance cooperation on shared economic and strategic priorities, CPPR said in a press statement.
“Kochi Dialogue 2026 will provide a platform to explore opportunities for stronger partnerships between India and the six GCC member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” the statement added.
Kochi Dialogue is a premier Track 1.5 platform that brings together government representatives, business leaders, strategic thinkers, and academics to strengthen the growing partnership between India and the GCC. The Dialogue serves as a unique platform for diplomacy, business networking, policy dialogue, and strategic collaboration. The format includes ministerial- and secretary-level discussions, topical seminars, expert panel discussions and business networking sessions.
This year’s Kochi Dialogue will focus on strategic security, artificial intelligence, education and innovation, ports and logistics infrastructure, supply-chain connectivity, investment and capital flows, energy security, and renewable energy. The discussions are expected to explore investment and business collaboration opportunities for companies in India and the GCC region.
The inaugural edition of the Kochi Dialogue was held on January 16 and 17, 2025, and inaugurated by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. It brought together stakeholders from India and the Gulf countries to discuss shared priorities and opportunities for cooperation. Participants included ministers, senior government officials, ambassadors, business leaders and policy experts.