RIS

Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, met Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the first woman Vice Chancellor and a distinguished alumna of one of India’s foremost universities.

The interaction explored strengthening institutional collaboration between RIS and JNU, particularly in trade and international economic relations. As India takes on the BRICS INDIA 2026 Presidency, these conversations become even more timely and relevant.

RIS and JNU share a strong complementarity in this regard. While JNU brings deep academic expertise across international studies, economics, law, and political economy, RIS contributes policy-oriented research, engagement with multilateral institutions, and a strong Global South perspective.

Together, there is strong potential to deepen collaboration through joint research, policy dialogues, faculty and student engagement, and capacity-building initiatives across JNU’s School of Social Sciences, SIS JNU, and its other schools.

The discussion reflected and built upon RIS’s recent collaboration with JNU, including the International Conference “Reimagining the Global South: Opportunities and Challenges for India” held at JNU.

Such academic-policy partnerships are essential for generating evidence-based, development-centric insights that can inform India’s engagement with the evolving global economic order.

As we welcomed 2026, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) family congregated for a cheerful New Year get-together marked by warm conversations, shared reflections, laughter, and a strong sense of togetherness. The occasion offered an opportunity to connect with colleagues, reflect on the year gone by, and exchange thoughts and aspirations for the year ahead.

The gathering provided a relaxed, welcoming setting that encouraged informal conversations and the exchange of ideas and perspectives on shared priorities. This was followed by a pleasant luncheon and a group photograph that captured the spirit of camaraderie and togetherness that defines our workplace.

As we step into 2026, we do so with optimism, renewed energy, and a shared commitment to collaboration, learning, and purposeful progress. We look forward to the year ahead with positivity and a collective resolve to grow together and contribute meaningfully to our common goals.

The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) was pleased to host Dr. Senthil Pandian C, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the WTO (PMI), today.

Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, DG, RIS, along with Mr. Atul Kaushik, held discussions with the Ambassador on key developments at the WTO, with a particular focus on agriculture negotiations and related issues. The exchange provided valuable insights into the evolving multilateral trade landscape and ongoing negotiating dynamics.

Importantly, the discussions also explored ways to strengthen collaboration between RIS and the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO, particularly on agriculture-related issues, analytical support, and policy research, in view of the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-14). Such collaboration would help inform evidence-based positions and support India’s engagement in ongoing and future WTO negotiations.

RIS is grateful to Dr. Pandian for his valuable insights and perspectives, which greatly enriched the discussion, and looks forward to continued engagement on critical WTO and development-related issues.