Global leaders of Indian origin will gather for four days of dialogue on technology, philanthropy, geopolitics, and the diaspora’s expanding global influence.
Indiaspora’s flagship gathering, bringing together influential voices of Indian origin from across the globe for four days of dialogue, networking, and collaboration, will begin outside Bengaluru on March 22.
The Indiaspora Forum 2026 will be held at the sprawling JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa. This year’s edition will focus on strengthening relationships, exchanging ideas and driving collective action on some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Over four days, participants will engage in discussions on artificial intelligence, climate and sustainability, philanthropy and social impact, geopolitics and trade, and the evolving role of the global Indian diaspora. The program will also spotlight India’s cultural and literary heritage, underscoring the group’s emphasis on identity and shared values.
The Bengaluru gathering follows the highly successful inaugural Indiaspora Forum for Good, held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last year.
According to the U.S.-based nonprofit organization, which connects global leaders of Indian heritage across sectors, the gathering will provide an opportunity to deepen engagement at a time when the Indian diaspora continues to expand its influence across business, government, philanthropy, academia, the arts and social impact.
“Building on the success of last year’s Indiaspora Forum in Abu Dhabi—where we convened more than 500 global leaders from 34 countries—we are proud to bring this year’s gathering to Bengaluru,” M.R. Rangaswami, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Indiaspora, told The American Bazaar.
“India today stands at a defining moment in its journey as a global power, marked by extraordinary dynamism, a young and ambitious population, and boundless possibilities across technology and innovation,” he added.
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“Hosting the forum in India allows us to showcase this transformation in real time and ground our global conversations in the energy and optimism shaping the country’s future,” he further stated, reflecting on India’s position in the global arena.
Rangaswami emphasized the significance of diaspora engagement, saying, “Equally important, this forum creates a rare and powerful opportunity for the Indian diaspora to experience India’s progress firsthand and to engage meaningfully with leaders from across India who are driving this change.”
The gathering also comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, which intensified after the United States and Israel killed Iran’s spiritual leader along with several of his top associates and family members.
The United Arab Emirates — the host of the inaugural forum in February 2025, which drew nearly 500 Indian diaspora leaders, including several prominent members of the UAE’s Indian community — is now among the countries feeling the impact of Iran’s retaliation.
“We do not gather in spite of a troubled world. We gather because of it — bringing our collective intellect, experience, and resolve to the challenges that matter most,” said Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora.
Flurry of activities
The forum opens on March 22 with a welcome dinner.
Early attendees can participate in a celebrity golf tournament at the Prestige Golfshire course or take a tour of Zampa Grover Vineyard in the Nandi Hills. The day will also include a visit to Sai Hospital before concluding with an evening “Taste & Tunes” gathering at the JW Marriott.
Formal sessions begin March 23 with an opening plenary titled “The Diaspora Dividend,” featuring Harvard economist and former First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath, Shah Capital founder Himanshu Shah, Perot Jain founder Anurag Jain, Rangaswami and Joshipura, among others.
READ: M.R. Rangaswami: From angel investor to launching Indiaspora (April 12, 2024)
Later that day, the focus shifts to philanthropy with “The Next Billion in Giving,” featuring Rohini Nilekani and Amit Chandra. Breakout sessions will explore sectors such as space and defense, as well as global family office strategies.
On March 24, conversations will center on leadership, innovation and global identity. Nandan Nilekani will join tennis legend Vijay Amritraj and Kiran Nadar to discuss India’s cultural and technological influence. Another session will examine the future of work under the provocative theme, “Will GenAI Kill the C-Suite?” The evening plenary will feature spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and former Union Minister Smriti Irani.
The final day, March 25, will host the Indiaspora Global AI Summit at the same venue. The summit will explore artificial intelligence, AI services and monetization, and where economic value is emerging in the technology landscape. The forum will conclude with a networking reception aimed at strengthening connections between global leaders and Indian innovators.
Organizers say the goal is not just dialogue, but action, as leaders gather in Bengaluru to forge partnerships and ideas with global impact.
Indiaspora is a nonprofit organization that brings together leaders of Indian origin from diverse fields. It seeks to position the diaspora as a force for good by creating space for collaboration, strengthening community ties and driving meaningful social impact.
“By bringing together diaspora leaders, global thinkers, and Indian policymakers and entrepreneurs in Bengaluru, we aim to deepen connections, spark collaboration, and shape ideas that will influence economic and social outcomes not just for India, but for the world,” said Rangaswami.