The Embassy of India in Reykjavík and the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland invite you to a half-day conference examining India–Iceland relations within the context of shifting global power dynamics. The conference will explore opportunities and constraints in the areas of security and defence, technology and innovation, trade and cultural engagement, highlighting the growing relevance of this partnership in today’s geopolitical environment.

All are welcome, but please register

The event will also be livestreamed here

Programme:

08:30 – 08:50 Opening Remarks

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland

Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs (video message)

08:50 – 09:50 Advancing Political Dialogue and Strategic Cooperation: India–Iceland Perspectives on Security and Defense

Benedikt Höskuldsson, Ambassador of Iceland to India, Monty Khanna, Rear Admiral (Retd), Pia Hansson, Director of the Institute of International Affairs, University of Iceland and Valur Ingimundarson, Professor of Modern History, University of Iceland

Moderated by Þorlákur Einarsson, Adviser, Directorate for International Affairs and Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

09:50 – 10:05 Coffee Break

10:05 – 11:05 India–Iceland Economic Partnership: The Future of Trade and Investment

Árni Sigurjónsson, Deputy General Counsel, Marel, Helgi Már Björgvinsson, Head of Airlines Partnerships & International Relations, Icelandair, Mohit Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and R. Ravindra, Ambassador of India to Iceland

Moderated by Ólafur Stephensen, Secretary General for the Icelandic Federation of Trade

11:05 – 11:20 Break

11:20 – 12:10 Addressing Global Challenges: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in Technology and Innovation

Bala Kamallakharan, Investor and Founder Startup Iceland, Esha Srivastava, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Kristinn Ingi Lárusson, Chief Business Officer and Deputy CEO of Carbfix and Payal Shah, Board member WomenTechIceland

Moderated by Ólöf Kristjánsdóttir, Chair of WomenTechIceland

12:10 – 12:40 Fireside Chat: The Role of Culture in Shaping India–Iceland Connections

Chandrika Gunnarsson, owner of restaurant 'Austur-Indíafélagið' and businesswoman, Einar Falur Ingólfsson, photographer and writer and Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)

Moderated by Guðni Bragason, former Ambassador of Iceland to India

12:40 – 12:45 Closing Remarks

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland

12:45 Light lunch and networking