IIIT Manipur hosts lecture by JK Tripathi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 20 2025: The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Manipur organised a special lecture on the theme "The Journey of Indian Foreign Policy During the Last Ten Years" delivered by Ambassador JK Tripathi, retired IFS officer, at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium today.

As per a release issued by IIIT Manipur, the session aimed to help students, faculty, and other attendees understand how India's foreign policy has evolved in a changing global landscape.

During the lecture, JK Tripathi elaborated on key principles of India's diplomatic approach such as the importance of national interest, move towards a more proactive defence strategy, and historical perspectives including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's well-known statement from 1969, where she noted that India would prefer to "stand strong rather than accept conditional assistance" .

The talk covered India's positions on major global issues, including its informational support to Russia, relations with Pakistan, India's balanced stance in international conflicts, and discussions on the Israel-Palestine situation and the Two-Nation Theory.

The lecture also focused on India's ties with neighbouring countries and its growing role in the Indo-Pacific region.

The shift from the "Look East" to the "Act East" policy was highlighted, along with strengthened relations with countries like the Philippines and South Korea.

India's expanding trade partnerships with the EU, UK, and the US were also discussed.

One key point emphasised was India's increasing global presence, especially its support to more than 93 countries during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, reflecting its leadership in South-South Cooperation.

The session also mentioned India's observer status in the G7, its advocacy for global disarmament, and its strong capability in high-altitude warfare.

Professor Krishnan Baskar, Director of IIIT Manipur, highlighted the need for young people to understand India's foreign policy as the country continues to shape its strategic future.

Students, scholars, and faculty members took part in an interactive discussion following the lecture.

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