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Observer Research Foundation

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is an independent, non-profit headquartered in , , focused on conducting in-depth policy research and providing platforms for discourse on , , , , , , and . Established in amid India's and shifting global engagement, ORF seeks to influence policy formulation toward building a strong and prosperous through pragmatic ideation and analysis. ORF's activities include producing research reports, hosting international conferences such as the annual —a flagship geopolitical event convening global leaders—and investing in emerging thought leaders via fellowships and programs. It maintains offices in , , and the , extending its reach to topics like , climate policy, and digital governance. The organization has been recognized for its contributions, ranking as a leading in regional assessments, though its outputs often emphasize India's strategic interests in a multipolar world. Despite its claims of non-partisanship, ORF has drawn scrutiny for substantial funding from , a major Indian conglomerate, which critics argue fosters alignment with corporate and governmental priorities, particularly under the current administration, potentially compromising its independence in and economic analysis. This has led to perceptions of in its research and events, contrasting with pressures faced by more liberal-leaning think tanks in .

Founding and Early Development

Establishment in 1990

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) was formally established on 5 September 1990 as a private, not-for-profit dedicated to conducting policy research and influencing formulation in . Conceived by Rishi Kumar Mishra, a and media executive with prior involvement in publications like The Patriot and , the organization emerged to bridge gaps in strategic thinking amid India's evolving domestic and international landscape. Mishra, who became its Founder Chairman, envisioned ORF as a platform for pragmatic ideation, drawing from his experience in media to foster non-partisan analysis on security, economy, and governance issues. The founding aligned with India's early post-Cold War transitions, including tentative steps toward under P.V. Rao's , which began reshaping and internal reforms after the 1991 crisis. ORF's initial mandate emphasized in-depth research to aid alternatives, positioning it as an entity separate from influence, though its origins trace to informal discussions within journalistic and business circles seeking structured input on national challenges. Early operations were modest, focusing on convening experts rather than large-scale , with eventually set in New Delhi's Rouse Avenue Institutional Area. While ORF presented itself as autonomous from the outset, its involved seed support from philanthropists and media-linked , including indirect ties to industrial figures like those associated with through Mishra's professional history, though the maintained operational independence. This structure allowed ORF to prioritize empirical policy inputs over ideological alignment, distinguishing it from state-affiliated bodies prevalent in at the time. By its , the foundation had assembled a core group of trustees and researchers committed to addressing immediate concerns like and .

Initial Focus and Ties to Media

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) was established in 1990 amid India's shift toward and integration into the global economy, with an initial emphasis on conducting in-depth policy research to address national challenges such as economic restructuring and international positioning. In its early years, ORF prioritized assembling leading Indian economists and policymakers to articulate coherent agendas for reforms, marking the first such collaborative effort to influence the trajectory of India's post-1991 liberalization policies. This focus reflected a pragmatic approach to ideation, aiming to generate policy alternatives that balanced domestic priorities with emerging global dynamics. ORF's foundational ties to media originated through its founder and first chairman, R.K. Mishra, a prominent who served as of The Patriot newspaper, a Delhi-based English daily known for its left-leaning editorial stance during the 1980s and early 1990s. Mishra's background in shaped ORF's early , infusing its research outputs with an observational, analytical style akin to investigative reporting, though the organization positioned itself as an independent rather than a media extension. These connections facilitated ORF's initial outreach, leveraging Mishra's networks in policy and press circles to disseminate reform-oriented analyses, but no formal institutional affiliation with The Patriot or other media entities was established at inception.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

Key Leadership Roles

Sunjoy serves as Chairman of the Observer Research Foundation, a position he has held since 2009, overseeing the organization's strategic and operational direction with a focus on , environment, and international affairs. , a former officer, holds a in from Allahabad University and another in from the ; his expertise stems from roles in India's sector, including advisory positions on policy and . Samir Saran is the , managing the foundation's research centers, fundraising, platform development, and global outreach initiatives. Saran, who joined ORF in 2005 and assumed the presidency in 2014, earned a Master's in from of Economics and pursues doctoral research in global sustainability; his work emphasizes , and , governance, and India's international positioning, including curating the annual . The board of trustees, which provides and oversight, includes members such as Honorary Treasurer Jagannatha Kumar, CEO of ; Annu Tandon, a former and founder of a rural trust; , Managing Director of ; , founding partner of law firm; and Rajesh Shah, Co-Chairman of Mukand Ltd. These trustees contribute diverse expertise in media, business, law, and to guide ORF's non-partisan research mandate. Historically, Rishi Kumar Mishra founded and chaired ORF from its inception in 1990 until his death on January 9, 2009; a veteran and editor of publications like and , Mishra also served as a (1974–1980) and engaged in back-channel diplomacy, authoring works on to advance the think tank's goal of elevating India's global discourse.

Domestic and International Presence

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is headquartered in at 20, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, serving as the primary hub for its policy research and administrative functions. Domestically, ORF operates additional centers in (at ), , and , enabling localized engagement on regional policy matters such as , economic , and issues tailored to India's diverse geographies. These centers, established to extend ORF's footprint beyond the capital, support collaborative research and events, with Mumbai focusing on economic and trade analyses, Chennai on southern regional dynamics, and Kolkata on eastern economic corridors. Internationally, ORF has expanded through affiliated entities, including ORF America, a non-partisan nonprofit based in , launched to address transatlantic policy challenges, particularly U.S.-India strategic partnerships in , , and climate. This U.S. presence facilitates convenings and research on bilateral issues, drawing on expertise from both nations. Similarly, ORF Middle East, located in at the Convention Tower of the , concentrates on Indo-Middle Eastern relations, , and strategic dialogues, exemplified by events on -UAE partnerships. These international outposts, operational since the mid-2010s, enhance ORF's global outreach without diluting its India-centric mandate, often through joint initiatives rather than full-scale replication of domestic structures.

Mission, Research Areas, and Outputs

Core Policy Domains

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) identifies three primary core policy domains: security and strategy, economy and development, and energy and resources. These areas guide its non-partisan research and policy inputs, drawing on empirical analysis of India's national interests amid global shifts. ORF's work in these domains integrates data-driven assessments, such as geopolitical risk modeling and economic impact studies, to influence decision-making in , , and . In security and strategy, ORF focuses on regional stability, defence capabilities, and emerging threats, including cyber and technological risks. The Strategic Studies Programme, for instance, examines India's neighbourhood dynamics, , and alliances like the , producing reports on Indo-Pacific security architectures as of 2023. The Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology further addresses AI's implications for national defence, with analyses on benchmarks and global standards published in 2025. This domain emphasizes causal links between technological advancements and , avoiding unsubstantiated alarmism in favour of verifiable metrics like defence expenditure trends. The economy and development domain covers growth policies, trade negotiations, and sustainable . ORF's Economy and Growth Programme evaluates reforms such as India's integration into global value chains, with 2024 reports highlighting gaps amid post-pandemic recovery. It also tracks domestic metrics, including GDP contributions from sectors like , projected to reach 25% by 2030 under current trajectories. Through the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy, ORF assesses multilateral engagements, prioritizing evidence from WTO data over ideological narratives. within this domain analyze infrastructure financing, with emphasis on public-private models evidenced by case studies from and centres. Energy and resources research targets transitions to low-carbon systems, resource security, and . ORF's Energy and Programme has produced analyses on adoption, noting India's 2030 targets for 5 million tonnes annual production based on projections. It critiques over-reliance on intermittent renewables by quantifying grid stability challenges, using data from IRENA reports on capacity factors below 30% for solar in . The domain includes Eurasian energy corridors and adaptation strategies, with 2024 publications linking fossil fuel dependencies to geopolitical vulnerabilities in supply chains spanning 40% of India's imports. ORF advocates diversified portfolios, substantiated by lifecycle emissions comparisons showing as a fuel with 50% lower CO2 than .

Publications, Reports, and Analytical Contributions

The Observer Research Foundation produces a range of publications encompassing special reports, occasional papers, issue briefs, books, monographs, and commentaries, focusing on policy analysis in areas such as security, international relations, technology, and governance. In its 2025 annual report, ORF documented over 280 long-form outputs—including issue briefs, special reports, occasional papers, ORF-GP volumes, and monographs—alongside 1,634 commentaries that provide analytical insights into domestic and global issues. Special reports offer detailed examinations of strategic topics; for instance, "A in Kashmir’s Game of Shadows," published on October 15, 2025, analyzes domestic political dynamics in , while "Chinese Media in : The Case of in ," released October 3, 2025, assesses Beijing's media expansion in . Another example, " and Visegrad Four: Cooperation in a Turbulent World" from September 30, 2025, explores potential alliances amid geopolitical shifts. Books and monographs tackle forward-looking policy agendas, such as "The Consumption of Energy by Data Centres: Implications for the Global South," authored by Lydia Powell and Akhilesh Sati in August 2025, which evaluates demands from digital infrastructure in developing economies. Additional titles include "Transforming : The 2030 Innovations Agenda" and "Shaping U.S.-India A.I.," addressing reforms and bilateral cooperation. These outputs, often authored by in-house experts or external contributors via formats like Expert Speak and Occasional Papers, aim to inform policymakers with evidence-based recommendations, though ORF maintains non-partisan framing amid India's evolving strategic landscape. Analytical contributions extend to event reports and series that synthesize conference discussions, enhancing ORF's role in shaping discourse on and .

Major Events and Initiatives

Raisina Dialogue

The is an annual conference on and organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in , , commencing in 2016. It serves as a platform for discussions among global leaders, policymakers, and experts on issues including shifting alliances, , technology governance, and security challenges. The event is co-hosted with India's Ministry of External Affairs, emphasizing multilateral engagement and India's role in international affairs. Each edition features keynote addresses, panel debates, and special sessions, drawing over 3,500 participants from approximately 125 countries, including heads of state, foreign ministers, military officials, and thought leaders. For instance, the 2023 edition was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, focusing on themes like democratic resilience and Indo-Pacific dynamics. The 2025 edition, marking the 10th iteration under the theme "Kālachakra—People, Peace and Planet," addressed six pillars such as interrupted politics, digital governance, and planetary security, with sessions on sovereignty, borders, and global order. The Dialogue has expanded internationally, with offshoots like in , and Raisina Tokyo, adapting core themes to regional contexts such as U.S.-India strategic ties and cooperation. ORF publishes post-event reports and essays, such as "Raisina Chronicles: India's Global Public Square" in 2024, to sustain discourse on conference outcomes and foster ongoing . These outputs contribute to ORF's broader analytical efforts without endorsing specific viewpoints, prioritizing evidence-based geopolitical assessments.

Other Conferences and Collaborative Programs

In addition to the Raisina Dialogue, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) organizes several specialized conferences and forums addressing niche policy domains such as technology governance, , and regional . CyFy, ORF's annual platform on cyber issues, facilitates discussions among policymakers, technologists, and on topics including digital sovereignty, ethics, and . Launched in the early , it has held multiple editions, with CyFy 2022 focusing on human-technology relations amid geopolitical tensions, and CyFy 2021 emphasizing technology's role in security and society. Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, co-hosted with India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, serves as a for advancing initiatives, maritime logistics, and sustainable shipping. Its second edition, scheduled for October 27–29, 2025, in , convenes stakeholders from industry, academia, and government to address challenges like port infrastructure and ocean resource management, building on the inaugural event's emphasis on global maritime partnerships. ORF also partners internationally for region-specific dialogues, such as the Global Dialogue, held in collaboration with the Institute of International Affairs. The 2025 edition, conducted in June, examined the relevance of Western institutions in a multipolar world, featuring debates on values, partnerships, and global order shaping. Similarly, the Dialogue, in partnership with Armenia's , held its second edition in May 2025 to explore Eurasian connectivity and regional stability. Other forums include the India Forum, focusing on polar governance and climate impacts, and the Conversation, addressing African-Indian Ocean dynamics. Collaborative programs extend ORF's reach through joint initiatives like the US-India AI Fellowship , launched in 2025 by ORF and ORF America, which trains emerging leaders in policy and bilateral cooperation. The U.S.-India Emerging Climate Leaders network promotes joint solutions on challenges, elevating diverse voices in transitions and resilience-building. These efforts often involve trilateral or multilateral partnerships, such as the India Trilateral co-hosted with institutions like Brookings, to foster on Indo-Pacific security and economic ties.

Funding and Financial Governance

Primary Funding Sources

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) primarily relies on corporate donations for its funding, with and its affiliates, including , serving as longstanding major contributors. Established in 1990 with involvement from the family associated with Reliance, the received approximately 95% of its budget from Reliance until around 2009, after which efforts to diversify reduced this share, though Reliance remains a dominant domestic supporter. Government grants, particularly from India's Ministry of External Affairs, provide additional core support, often earmarked for events such as the , though specific aggregate amounts for the period 2019–2024 are documented in parliamentary responses without detailed breakdowns. Foreign contributions under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) supplement these, with notable grants including ₹8.3 crore from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ₹1.66 crore from in late 2023 alone, alongside contributions from entities like (₹62 ) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These foreign funds, totaling millions annually across various quarters, focus on research in areas like health, technology, and security but represent a regulated subset rather than the foundational revenue base. ORF's overall annual revenue is estimated at around $16 million as of 2025, sustained through these channels without full public disclosure of proportional breakdowns in its reports, which emphasize partnerships over granular financials. sponsorships and project-specific collaborations with corporations like PwC further bolster operations, but corporate philanthropy, led by Reliance, underpins the organization's financial stability.

Transparency and Diversification Efforts

The Observer Research Foundation publishes annual reports that provide overviews of its activities and financial performance, serving as a primary mechanism for disclosing operational and fiscal details to stakeholders. For instance, the 2023-24 annual report, released on September 5, 2024, outlines the organization's contributions to policy discourse alongside aggregated financial data, though specific donor breakdowns are not itemized in publicly accessible summaries. Government contributions to ORF, such as those from the Ministry of External Affairs between January 2019 and October 2024, are documented through parliamentary disclosures, enhancing accountability for public funds. In terms of diversification, ORF has actively broadened its funding base beyond heavy reliance on individual corporate patrons, notably reducing the proportion from —which accounted for about 60% of inflows in the 2017-18 financial year—to incorporate Indian government grants and contributions from foreign foundations, including the ClimateWorks Foundation. This shift aims to mitigate risks associated with single-source dependency and align with broader institutional goals of financial resilience, as evidenced by the inclusion of diverse international and domestic supporters in recent operational expansions. Such efforts reflect a strategic response to evolving funding landscapes, prioritizing over concentrated .

Rankings and Recognition

Global Think Tank Evaluations

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has primarily been assessed in the Global Go To Index Reports, an annual evaluation compiled by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies (TTCSP) at the from 2008 until 2020, ranking over 10,000 institutes worldwide based on peer and expert nominations, surveys of policymakers and journalists, and self-reported data across categories like overall influence, areas, and regional impact. These rankings emphasize perceived advisory roles and engagement rather than purely quantitative metrics such as citations or scale, which can reflect subjective expert opinions potentially influenced by institutional networks. In the 2020 Index Report, assessing 2019 performance, ORF achieved 27th place globally among top think tanks (combining and non-US), marking a rise of over 90 positions from prior years and positioning it as 's highest-ranked institution. It also secured top rankings in across multiple categories, including first for and national think tanks, and leading positions in for and . Earlier editions, such as 2019, similarly highlighted ORF's ascent, with consistent top-tier placements in regional and evaluations, underscoring its growing international visibility through events and publications. ORF's flagship conference earned 4th place worldwide among best conferences in the 2020 report, recognizing its role in convening global leaders on geopolitical issues. Post-2020, with TTCSP's closure in 2021, no direct successor index has replicated this comprehensive global benchmarking, though alternative metrics like citation-based analyses in economics rank ORF competitively within but lower internationally compared to Western counterparts. These evaluations affirm ORF's strengths in strategic domains amid India's rising global profile, though reliance on perceptual data invites scrutiny over replicability and potential respondent biases toward established or English-language dominant institutions.

National and Regional Influence Metrics

ORF maintains substantial national influence in as a leading independent , evidenced by its organizational scale and institutional partnerships. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, it hosted over 85 events, including policy roundtables and seminars that engaged government stakeholders. Its flagship , co-organized with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), drew 3,500 attendees in 2025, featuring addresses by senior officials and policymakers. Such collaborations underscore ORF's role in shaping domestic discourse on security and strategy, with events like the Sagarmanthan 2024 maritime conference jointly executed with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, attracting high-level participation. Quantifiable outputs further bolster its domestic footprint: ORF produced 280 long-form publications (reports and monographs) and 1,634 short-form analyses in 2024-2025, many cited in Indian policy circles on topics like AI governance and . Recognition includes ranking as the top Indian in Asia-focused categories in the 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index and 8th among non-U.S. globally in the 2020 edition, reflecting peer-assessed impact on national agendas. Frequent engagements, such as Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan's address on regional security threats at an ORF event on July 9, 2025, demonstrate direct access to defense and formulation. Regionally, ORF's influence extends across and the via cross-border initiatives and multinational forums. The Sagarmanthan Dialogue 2024 convened over 1,500 delegates from 61 countries, emphasizing India's maritime strategy and fostering ties with partners. Programs like the Neighbourhood Studies Programme address South Asian security dynamics, while events such as the Innovation Island Summit in (February 2025) engage regional actors on economic corridors and clean energy transitions. These efforts, supported by 70+ targeted publications in 2024-2025 on themes like cooperation, position ORF as a conduit for India's strategic outreach, with international collaborations amplifying its advisory role beyond national borders.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Corporate Influence

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) was established in 1990 by R.K. Mishra in connection with Dhirubhai Ambani's media ventures, including the Observer of Business and Politics launched in 1989, and received nearly all its initial funding from Reliance Industries. By the 2017–18 fiscal year, Reliance contributed approximately 60% of ORF's ₹35 crore budget, down from 95% in 2009, amid diversification efforts that included corporate donors such as Facebook and Google. Reliance also constructed ORF's Delhi headquarters in the early 2000s and maintains shared facilities with its Mumbai office, alongside visible symbols like a portrait of Dhirubhai Ambani. Critics have alleged that these ties enable corporate sway over ORF's research priorities, which frequently align with Reliance's business interests in , , cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure—areas pertinent to Reliance's platform and other ventures. For instance, ORF's employment of former bureaucrats with Reliance connections, such as Sunjoy Joshi and , has fueled claims that the functions as a conduit for corporate policy influence. A report accused ORF vice president Samir Saran of facilitating Reliance-linked story placement in outlets, amid the conglomerate's acquisitions of like Network18, which later partnered with ORF events such as the . Additionally, the 2019 hiring of Dhruva Jaishankar—brother of External Affairs Minister —as director of ORF's U.S. initiative, shortly after his father's appointment, has drawn scrutiny for potential conflicts given Reliance's status as ORF's largest donor and its intersections with . ORF has sought to assert by broadening its donor base and emphasizing non-partisan , yet persistent Reliance funding—described as the by multiple observers—continues to prompt questions about undue corporate leverage in shaping foreign policy discourse, particularly through high-profile initiatives like the Reliance-backed co-hosted with the Ministry of External Affairs. These concerns are compounded by Reliance's media holdings, which amplify ORF fellows' commentary, potentially prioritizing commercial agendas over impartial scholarship.

Political Alignment and Foreign Funding Concerns

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has faced scrutiny over its perceived political alignment with the ruling (BJP) government in , particularly in domains. Critics argue that ORF's outputs often echo official stances on issues like , Indo-Pacific alignments, and China policy, potentially reflecting proximity to New Delhi's establishment rather than independent analysis. This perception is amplified by ORF's event platforms, such as the , which frequently feature high-level participation from figures like External Affairs Minister , fostering an image of synergy with government priorities. However, ORF asserts its non-partisan character, emphasizing diverse viewpoints across 's political spectrum in its publications and dialogues. Funding from Limited, which historically accounted for up to 95% of ORF's budget until 2009 and approximately 65% as of recent estimates, has intensified concerns about alignment, given Mukesh 's documented business and personal ties to and BJP leaders. This corporate dominance, combined with ORF's avoidance of regulatory pressures faced by more liberal-leaning s under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), suggests to detractors a selective tolerance that aligns with ruling party interests. In August 2025, social media and opposition narratives highlighted alleged "influence peddling" involving ORF, Ambani, , and BJP president , framing the as an extension of pro-government , though these claims remain unverified allegations without documented evidence of policy distortion. Foreign funding constitutes a growing portion of ORF's resources, regulated under FCRA, with its license renewed for five years in August 2023. Notable donors include the U.S. government, the Pentagon-affiliated , and tech giants such as , , and , which provided project-specific grants documented in quarterly disclosures. These inflows, while enabling global engagement, have sparked worries about donor-driven agendas influencing outputs, particularly in areas like U.S.-India strategic partnerships and , where alignment with Western priorities may diverge from 's non-aligned traditions. Transparency efforts, including public declarations of contributions, mitigate some risks, but critics note vagueness in detailing end-use and potential conflicts, especially amid broader FCRA scrutiny on foreign-funded entities. No formal investigations have substantiated , yet the blend of foreign and domestic corporate support underscores ongoing debates about think tank autonomy in shaping national discourse.

Policy Impact and Legacy

Contributions to Indian Strategic Autonomy

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has advanced India's through targeted research that emphasizes multi-alignment, diversification of partnerships, and resilience against external pressures in . In a 2024 report titled "India's : A for the Future that Builds on Bharat's Ancient Statecraft of Peace, Prosperity, and Planet," ORF outlined a policy architecture drawing from historical precedents to reinforce contemporary under Narendra Modi's leadership, highlighting non-alignment's evolution into proactive global engagement without bloc commitments. This framework posits as enabling India's rise amid great-power competition, with recommendations for balancing relations with the , , and . ORF's analyses have underscored the compatibility of India's with deepening ties to Western partners, as evidenced in an October 2024 expert commentary explaining the US's acceptance of India's non-proxy stance rooted in Cold War-era non-alignment, which avoids entanglement in superpower rivalries while pursuing defense and technology cooperation. Similarly, a September 2025 research piece on India's engagement at the Summit in framed Modi's interactions with Chinese President as exemplifying autonomy in a multipolar order, prioritizing bilateral de-escalation over alliance pressures. These publications provide policymakers with evidence-based rationales for independent decision-making, such as navigating sanctions regimes without compromising core interests like energy imports from . Through annual Foreign Policy Surveys, ORF has gauged and influenced public and elite discourse on -related challenges, including the " challenge" in the 2024 edition, which surveyed young Indians' preferences for diversified partnerships over exclusive alignments, informing advocacy for indigenous capabilities and regional forums like the . Additional research explores niche domains for enhancement, such as a 2025 on India's policy as a pathway to reduce dependence on Russian routes by fostering ties with non-Russian stakeholders, thereby broadening economic and options. ORF's ORF arm further extends this by examining US-India convergence on in , positioning it as a mutual advantage in countering shared threats without formal alliances. Collectively, these efforts have contributed to an intellectual ecosystem that bolsters India's capacity for calibrated, interest-driven diplomacy, evidenced by citations in policy circles and alignment with official stances on issues like CAATSA sanctions exemptions.

Global Engagement and Long-Term Effects

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has expanded its global engagement through high-profile international forums and strategic partnerships, positioning itself as a key platform for dialogue on and . Its flagship event, the , launched in 2016 and co-hosted annually with India's of External Affairs, convenes over 1,000 delegates from more than 100 , including heads of state, foreign ministers, and policymakers, to address issues such as security, climate governance, and trade disruptions. The 2025 edition, themed "Kālachakra" (wheel of time), featured sessions on U.S.- tensions, European security dependencies, and migration's political impacts, underscoring ORF's role in facilitating multilateral exchanges that reflect India's rising geopolitical influence. ORF's international collaborations extend beyond events to research initiatives and bilateral engagements, including partnerships with entities in the U.S., , and nations on topics like and . For instance, ORF has hosted dialogues on India-U.S. synergies in maritime domains and India-France cooperation in the , fostering networks that incubate young leaders and policy alternatives. These efforts align with ORF's broader strategy to evolve global policy options, as evidenced by its contributions to forums like the and research on Eurasian connectivity and frameworks. In the long term, ORF's activities have contributed to India's transition from domestic-focused reforms to a pivotal in partnerships, influencing discourse on multipolar dynamics and economic power shifts. By producing non-partisan analyses on events like Russia's invasion of and U.S.- rivalries, ORF has shaped policy calculations in areas such as trade wars and alliances, enhancing India's " " through sustained intellectual output. Its on reimagining EU- South ties and realignments has informed strategic adaptations amid domestic political contests , promoting causal links between regional stability and worldwide economic resilience without endorsing partisan narratives. Over nearly three decades, these engagements have amplified India's voice in evolving orders, though their causal impact remains tied to empirical adoption in state policies rather than declarative influence.

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