Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and one of India’s most widely respected public intellectuals, will speak at the 23rd India Conference at Harvard, to be held on February 14 and 15, 2026, in Boston.

Tharoor’s address will anchor the Conference theme, “The India We Imagine,” bringing to the stage a perspective shaped by decades of public service across international diplomacy, national politics, and global intellectual discourse, situating “The India We Imagine” within India’s constitutional ideals and democratic experience. His career spans senior leadership roles at the United Nations, long-standing parliamentary engagement in India, and a prolific body of writing on history, culture, politics, and India’s place in the world.

Widely known for his eloquence and intellectual rigor, Tharoor has played a significant role in shaping contemporary conversations on Indian democracy, constitutional values, pluralism, and national identity. His work across books, public lectures, and political life has consistently engaged with questions of how India understands itself, narrates its history, and presents itself on the global stage.

His participation in the India Conference is particularly significant given the Conference’s focus on imagination as a civic and intellectual exercise, examining how ideas of India are articulated, debated, and carried forward by institutions, leaders, and citizens alike. Tharoor’s presence reflects the Conference’s commitment to serious, thoughtful engagement with India’s political and civic traditions, grounded in experience and scholarship.

Reflecting on the announcement, Narayani Shreedevi Ananthakrishnan, Co-Chair of the India Conference at Harvard (HKS 2026), said, “Dr. Tharoor’s presence at the Conference is deeply meaningful for our community. Few voices combine diplomatic experience, parliamentary leadership, and intellectual depth in the way he does. His participation strengthens our effort to create space for principled and informed conversations about India’s public life and democratic imagination.”

About India Conference at Harvard
In its 23rd year, the India Conference at Harvard is one of the largest and most influential student-led India-focused conferences in the US. An annual event hosted jointly at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, it fosters dialogue on India’s evolving role in global affairs, bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons. This year, the conference is chaired by Arundhati Prasad (GSD 2026), Narayani Shreedevi Ananthakrishnan (HKS 2026), Ritul Madhukar (HKS 2026), Satya Krishnan (HBS 2026), and Sravani Royyuru (HBS 2026), leading a team of ~100 students from across Harvard University. 

The conference will feature 70+ distinguished speakers from diverse fields over 2 days, exploring how every Indian can shape the India they imagine across disciplines.

Highlights of the Conference:

• Fireside Chat with Priyanka Chopra, showcasing her vision for India’s role on the world stage.
• Address by Shashi Tharoor on India’s democratic vision and its role in the world.
• Policy Hackathon, in collaboration with the Governments of Jammu & Kashmir and GDi Partners, addressing climate risk and sustainability solutions. Winning teams receive upto $10K in prize money.
• Startup Pitch Competition, providing a platform for Indian and Indian-origin entrepreneurs to present innovative solutions to India’s unique challenges and win over $20K in prizes.
• Distinguished speakers, including:
  • PV Sindhu – Olympic medalist and world champion badminton player
  • Manish Malhotra – Acclaimed fashion designer and founder of the eponymous label, Manish Malhotra
  • Sid Sriram – Celebrated playback singer
  • Vipul Roongta – MD and CEO of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited
  • Nikhil Taneja – Founder of Yuvaa and leading youth media entrepreneur

For more details on the India Conference’s programming and registration, visit indiaconferenceharvard.com.

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