Webinar Link

Meeting No: 2513 805 0165
Password: gondwana

Certificate of Participants

To recieve certificates, please register and attend

Abstract

Economic integration in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is increasingly vital for promoting sustainable growth, regional stability, and shared prosperity. The region connects major economies, vital sea lanes, and emerging markets, making it central to global trade and energy flows. Strengthening cooperation through trade agreements, infrastructure development, and digital connectivity can enhance economic resilience. However, challenges such as geopolitical tensions, uneven development, and regulatory differences persist. By fostering inclusive policies, maritime security, and multilateral collaboration, the IOR can unlock its full potential. This webinar explores opportunities, challenges, and strategic pathways to deepen economic integration across the Indian Ocean Region.

About the Speakers

Arvind Virmani

Arvind Virmani is Chairman of the Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare (EGROW). He was member of NIti Aayog and President of the Forum For Strategic Initiatives (FSI, Delhi). He has been a Mentor (economic policy) to FICCI & a member of RBI Technical Advisory Committee on Monetary policy. He was earlier Executive Director, IMF and Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance and Principal Advisor, Planning Commission. During his tenure he advised on a host of economic policy reforms, through 100s of policy papers, notes and committees. He has served as Member, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and as Director & Chief executive of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). He has published 35 journal articles and 20 book chapters and written over 50 other working papers in the areas of Macroeconomics, growth and finance, tax reform, International trade & Tariffs, International relations, and national security strategy.

Shruti Sabharwal

Shruti Sabharwal is an economist with experience in both policy and academic research. At NITI Aayog, she worked on quantitative research in development economics and on policy issues related to trade and economic integration, including the Indian Ocean Region. Her current research, as part of her Ph.D. in Economics, focuses on trade, particularly in environmental goods, and its linkages with growth and sustainability. She also has teaching experience in economics at the higher education level. She holds an M.Phil. from Jamia Millia Islamia and an M.A. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).