Johns Hopkins may have been the last school among elite U.S. universities to launch an India-focused conference, but as the inaugural Hopkins India Conference demonstrated last month, it’s second to none.
Held on May 9 and 10, 2025, at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., the event was hosted by Johns Hopkins University’s Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII), quickly established itself as one of the most ambitious India-focused university gatherings in the United States.
The theme, “Innovations & Partnerships for Global Progress,” captured both the scope and intent of the gathering: to catalyze high-impact collaborations across public health, technology, policy, and education between the world’s largest democracy and one of its most influential research institutions.
If its debut is any indication, the Hopkins India Conference is poised to become a major player in the landscape of university-led dialogues on U.S.-India relations.
Unlike similar conferences at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, or Wharton, the Hopkins event has a geographic edge. Being in the nation’s capital, it taps directly into Washington’s rich ecosystem of policymakers, think tanks, embassies, and global institutions, giving the event unique access to decision-makers and influencers.
The two-day conference drew a high-powered mix of policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, investors, and philanthropists from both the United States and India. From India’s $30 trillion economic ambition and shifting geopolitical dynamics, to tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, and public health infrastructure, the conference tackled urgent issues shaping the bilateral and global agenda.
At the heart of the initiative is Dr. Amita Gupta, Florence Sabin Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Director of GKII. With over two decades of work in India, Dr. Gupta’s leadership has been pivotal in shaping both the mission of the institute and the vision for the conference.
“By bringing together experts from multiple sectors, the conference advances a shared agenda of inclusive, forward-thinking, and mutually beneficial partnerships between the U.S. and India,” Dr. Gupta told The American Bazaar prior the conference.
“It’s a reminder that the U.S.-India partnership goes beyond bilateral ties – it’s a shared agenda for global good.”
One of the conference highlights was a keynote by Smriti Irani, former Minister for Education and Women & Child Development in India. Speaking remotely, she made a powerful case for placing women at the center of India’s economic and social progress.
“If you see an Indian woman, trust her, fund her, and follow her leadership, because she’s not just a chapter in India’s story—she’s the turning point,” Irani said.
In his closing note, Alex Triantis, dean of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, underscored the importance of resilience and trust in building international partnerships.
“Two areas of focus of this conference—innovation and partnerships—have both been recently challenged in different ways,” he said.
“But after spending the last day and a half with all of you, I feel a strong sense of optimism and opportunity again. Building partnerships that have deep roots and can be sustained through ups and downs is critical — and it’s what convenings like these help build.”
“Raj L. Gupta, the former chairman and CEO of Rohm and Haas, whose contributions were instrumental in the establishment of the institute, delivered the conference’s final remarks.” He underscored the century-long legacy of Hopkins’ work in India:
“Professors and collaborators from Hopkins have worked in India for over 100 years,” Gupta said. “Over this time, 160 professors and faculty members have worked in India and, on their own, raised $330 million to do work there. So, this is not a small effort.”
With its impressive launch, top-tier leadership, and strategic location in D.C., the Hopkins India Conference, as a platform, has staying power. In the years to come, it could well become the premier stage for shaping the future of U.S.-India relations from the vantage point of America’s policy capital.