“Understanding Indian Thinking Critical to Appreciate India’s Foreign Policy”: MEA’s Head of Foreign Policy Planning Division Addresses Students at IIM Kozhikode
Kozhikode : Management thinkers and future corporate leaders of tomorrow from the leading B-School of the country drew invaluable lessons at the linkages between management, diplomacy and soft power from the playbook of one of India’s leading diplomat shaping India’s outreach to the world. Dr Sumit Seth, Joint Secretary & Head Foreign Policy Planning Division at the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India set free the powerful potential and characteristics of Indian Diplomacy at global stage, in front of capacity audience at IIMK, in a free-wheeling conversation in the presence of Director Prof. Debashis Chatterjee and Dean-designate Prof. Deepa Sethi.
Dr Sumit Seth, member of the prestigious Indian Foreign Service (IFS), brought forth the unique characteristics of policy planning, diplomacy and the importance of thinking beyond conventional wisdom to generate the next ‘big idea’ for future leaders, managers and global trendsetters. His detailed overview on India’s Foreign Policy – and set the ball rolling for the audience to gain invaluable insights on how “Foreign Policy is no longer foreign, but as much a part of India’s domestic policy” in an uncertain world. He encouraged the young audience to embrace traits of a diplomat while facing challenges in a corporate world interspersed with thought evoking lessons from the famous treatise ‘Arthshastra’ by Acharya Chanakya.
Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, thanked Dr Seth on behalf of the institute for taking time out and explaining the nuances and linkages between management, and diplomacy. Terming ‘management’ as India’s most successful soft power, he added that IIM Kozhikode’s motto of ‘Globalizing Indian Thought’ is a prime example of India’s soft power outreach. He encouraged students to imbibe the characteristics traits of a diplomat to not only etch out a successful corporate career but also grow individually as a leader with values.
Earlier, Prof. Deepa Sethi, Dean Designate IIMK, and IIMK Programme Chairpersons welcomed the guest and shared that the insights from India’s foreign policy planning will encourage students to see the larger picture of the operations of global businesses and the importance of planning in Management.