India, Jan 20 : The 23rd India Conference at Harvard, a premier student-led global forum exploring India’s evolving role in business, policy, and culture, will be held on February 14–15, 2026, at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. Olympic champion P.V. Sindhu, parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra are among the conference’s headline speakers, organisers announced.
The two day event, themed “The India We Imagine”, will bring together over 70 speakers from across sports, politics, creative industries, and entrepreneurship to discuss India’s global engagement and cultural confidence.
Sports and Leadership
Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu, the first Indian to win gold at the Badminton World Championships, will participate in a moderated panel on India’s sports ecosystem. Her session, alongside Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, will explore the link between elite performance, leadership, and India’s international sporting image.
Politics and Diplomacy
Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and former UN under secretary general, will deliver a keynote addressing India’s constitutional ideals, democratic traditions, and role in global affairs. Tharoor’s session underscores the conference’s focus on civic and intellectual engagement.
Culture and Creativity
Acclaimed designer Manish Malhotra will discuss how India’s fashion, film, and creative industries project cultural confidence globally. Moderated by Simi Shah, founder of South Asian Trailblazers, the session will highlight the intersection of creativity and national identity.
Conference Highlights
The Harvard India Conference, now in its 23rd year, is among the largest India-focused student-led events in the U.S. Organised by around 100 students from across Harvard University, it serves as a platform connecting emerging Indian leaders with global influencers.
This year’s programme will also feature a fireside chat with Priyanka Chopra, a policy hackathon on climate risk and sustainability with the governments of Jammu & Kashmir and GDi Partners, and a startup pitch competition with over $20,000 in prizes.
The conference continues its legacy of fostering dialogue on India’s economic, political, and cultural growth, while providing students and global participants a platform to shape conversations about the country’s future.