New Delhi: The inaugural edition of the Nalanda Development Dialogue (NDD) 2026 brought together scholars, policymakers, and international experts to deliberate on sustainable development and evolving global economic dynamics. Organised by Nalanda University in collaboration with the Centre for Studies in Development and Sustainability (CSDS), the forum featured discussions on development finance, global fragmentation, and strategies for inclusive growth in an increasingly complex global landscape.
The conference opened with a keynote address by economist Dr. Shamika Ravi, who presented an overview of India’s development trajectory and highlighted evidence of economic transformation and inclusive growth. Her remarks addressed several pressing issues including labour market challenges, gender dynamics, poverty reduction, and regional development, with particular attention to the progress and challenges observed in Bihar and other emerging regions.
In his inaugural remarks, noted economist Professor Deepak Nayyar reflected on shifts in the global economic and political order, observing that the international system established after World War II is undergoing gradual change. He emphasised that cooperation among nations remains essential to address shared global challenges such as climate change, economic stability, and global security. Professor Thomas Pogge also contributed to the discussions by questioning traditional economic indicators like GDP and GNI, arguing for more people-centric and multidimensional approaches to measuring development.
The second plenary roundtable, titled “Bridging Foresight, Building Pathways: The Macroeconomics of Growth in a World Under Stress,” brought together experts including Tetsushi Sonobe, Christian Kastrop, Charan Singh, Achyut Prasad Wagle, Li Li, Nitya Nanda, Mochamad Indrawan, and Hitesh Vaidya. Participants discussed issues ranging from development finance and climate action to the importance of domestic resource mobilisation and regional cooperation. The dialogue also highlighted the role of the Northeast region of India as a model for localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with discussions on agro-ecology, eco-tourism, digital connectivity, and cross-border partnerships aimed at building sustainable and inclusive regional economies.
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