As tensions escalate in West Asia in 2026 drawing in the United States, Iran, Israel, and key regional actors the crisis is no longer distant for India. It is reshaping energy security, trade routes, and the lives of millions of Indians in the Gulf.

In this episode of Policy Beyond Borders by Centre for Public Policy Research, we unpack the real implications of the conflict beyond headlines. From India’s strategic balancing act and Indo-Pacific security shifts to the risks faced by the diaspora and Kerala’s economic dependence on remittances, the conversation explores how deeply interconnected this crisis is with India’s national priorities.

Featuring insights from T. P. Seetharam, Former Ambassador of India to the UAE, this episode examines key questions around diplomacy, energy vulnerability, maritime security, and the urgent need for economic resilience.

Host: J Paul Zachariah, Programme Officer, Chairman's Office, CPPR.

🎧 Tune in for a sharp, policy-driven discussion on how a global conflict is shaping India’s immediate and long-term future.

As India and Canada move toward stabilising a relationship that witnessed diplomatic strain in recent years, the proposed 2026 visit of the Canadian Prime Minister marks a critical moment in bilateral recalibration. Anchored by the resumption of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and renewed strategic dialogue, the visit signals cautious normalisation amid shifting geopolitical realities.

About the Episode

In this episode of Policy Beyond Borders by CPPR (Centre for Public Policy Research), titled “Rebuilding the Momentum in 2026: The Canadian Prime Minister’s Visit to India," we explore:

The diplomatic significance of the Canadian Prime Minister’s visit and what indicators will determine whether it reflects stabilisation or substantive recalibration

The resumption of CEPA negotiations and the prospects for interim sector-specific agreements in trade, services, and investment

Cooperation in critical minerals, clean energy, nuclear fuel supply, and supply chain resilience as pillars of strategic engagement

The broader geopolitical context of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy and India’s approach to diversified partnerships with G7 economies

SPEAKER:

Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma

Former High Commissioner of India to Canada

MODERATOR:

Dr Dhritishree Bordalai

Senior Research Associate - International Relations

Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, Kerala, India

The India-European Union partnership has entered a decisive phase as long-standing negotiations culminate in the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement at the 2026 Summit. Amid shifting geopolitical alignments, fragmented supply chains, and growing economic uncertainty, the agreement signals a deeper strategic convergence between two major global actors, extending beyond trade into security, connectivity, and people-to-people cooperation.

At a time when economic interdependence is increasingly shaped by regulatory standards, sustainability concerns, and strategic autonomy, the India-EU FTA raises important questions about market access, sectoral gains, and the challenges of implementation. From labour-intensive exports and manufacturing to skills, mobility, and connectivity initiatives, the Summit reflects a broader recalibration of India-EU relations in a changing global order.

The podcast series Policy Beyond Borders by CPPR, through this episode titled India-EU Summit 2026: Trade, Strategic Convergence, and the Road Ahead, examines the key outcomes of the Summit and unpacks what the agreement means beyond the headlines. The discussion explores how trade, strategy, and connectivity are shaping the future trajectory of the India-EU partnership.

SPEAKER:

Professor Dr Ummu Salma Bava

Professor and Jean Monnet Chair, Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies (SIS), and Chairperson, Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi

MODERATOR:

Kalyani S K, Associate Research (International Relations) at Centre for Public Policy Relations (CPPR), Kochi, Kerala, India