Marquee speakers from across policy, politics, industry, economics, arts and entertainment will convene in Kochi on September 29 and 30 to exchange ideas and debate key issues.
The India Today Conclave, India’s premier thought-leadership forum and a globally recognised platform for dialogue and ideas, returns to Kochi with the seventh edition of India Today Conclave South. The event will take place on September 29 and 30 at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty.
Convening some of the most commanding voices from geopolitics, business, technology, culture and society under the theme ‘Surging South’, the Conclave will focus on the region’s political influence, economic ambitions and cultural strength.
South India is at the forefront of India’s economic and strategic ambitions, driving advances in technology, manufacturing and enterprise, expanding its maritime trade and extending its cultural influence across languages and borders. Alongside this momentum, debates on federalism, political representation and opportunities for a new generation are shaping the region’s priorities. ‘Surging South’ reflects this dynamism and the region’s growing role in shaping India’s future.
The Conclave will examine the South’s role in India’s economic and strategic future through discussions on governance, defence, investment, education and employment, alongside conversations on cinema, culture and social change. Prominent speakers include Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, Indian Coast Guard Director General S. Paramesh, Manappuram Finance Managing Director V.P. Nandakumar and filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
To register or watch live, visit www.indiatodayconclave.in.
Speakers
V.D. Satheesan — Chief Minister, Keralam
Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu — Deputy Chief Minister, Telangana
Nara Lokesh — Minister for Human Resources Development, Andhra Pradesh
Ramesh Chennithala — Minister of Home, Keralam
T.G. Bharath — Minister of Industries and Commerce, Andhra Pradesh
Santosh S. Lad — Minister of Labour and Employment, Karnataka
Asaduddin Owaisi — President, AIMIM; Member of Lok Sabha
K.T. Rama Rao — Working President, Bharat Rashtra Samithi
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar — Member of Lok Sabha, BJP
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu — Member of Lok Sabha & Parliamentary Party Leader, TDP; Vice-Chairman, Vignan University
Jebi Mather — Member of Rajya Sabha, Congress
Hibi Eden — Member of Lok Sabha, Congress
K.R. Suresh Reddy — Former Member of Rajya Sabha, BRS
Arvind Bellad — Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Anil K. Antony — National Secretary & Spokesperson, BJP
Dr K.S. Radhakrishnan — State Vice-President, BJP, Kerala
M. Sathya Kumar — Spokesperson, TVK
Om Prakash Rawat — Former Chief Election Commissioner
Ashok Lavasa — Former Election Commissioner
K.M. Chandrasekhar — Vice-Chairperson, Kerala State Planning Board; Former Union Cabinet Secretary
DG S. Paramesh, AVSM, PTM, TM — Director General, Indian Coast Guard
Dr B.K. Das — Director General, Electronics & Communication Systems, DRDO
G. Satheesh Reddy — Member, NSAB; Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh
Commander Prasanna Edayilliam (Retd)
C. Balagopal — Chairman, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation; Former Chairman, Federal Bank
V.P. Nandakumar — Managing Director, Manappuram Finance
Sreekumar K. Nair — CEO, Vizhinjam International Seaport
Luxman Radhakrishnan — Former Chairman, JNPT; Former MD & CEO, Malabar International Port & SEZ
Raghu Chandran Nair — President, Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce
Dr V.K. Anandan — CTO & Senior Vice-President, Astra Microwave Products Ltd; CEO, Astra Space Technologies Pvt. Ltd
Sameer Joshi — CEO, NewSpace Research & Technologies
Dinesh K. Nair — Director, Equirus Wealth Private Limited
Dr V.K. Vijayakumar — Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services
Dr K. Paul Thomas — MD & CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank
Rijin John — Co-founder & CEO, Silizium Circuits
Rashid Karimbanakkal — Co-founder & Director, Genrobotic Innovations
Sathyanarayanan AR — Founder and CEO, Embright Infotech
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri — President, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham; Vice-Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math
Aisshwarya D.K.S. Hegde — Edupreneur
Kadhambari S. Viswanathan — Assistant Vice-President, Vellore Institute of Technology
Aishe Ghosh — Member, SFI
Shravan B. Raj — National Secretary, ABVP
Dr Aloshious Xavier — State President, Kerala Students Union
S. Mridhula — Tamil Nadu State President, SFI
Ajay Kamath — Karnataka State Secretary, All India Democratic Students’ Organization
Vijay Reddy Mallangi — National Media Lead and South India In-Charge, Cockroach Janta Party
Adoor Gopalakrishnan — Film Director, Screenwriter and Producer
Shruti Haasan — Actor
Amala Paul — Actor
Kapila Venu — Koodiyattam Artiste
Francis Xavier — Violin Maestro & Composer
Ajeissh Mukundan — Dancer
Alex Rapheal — Dancer
KL Bro Biju — YouTuber
ARJN and KDS — Artists, Money Verse Records
Nathana Mary J D — Crane Operator, Vizhinjam International Seaport
Shiji U — Crane Operator, Vizhinjam International Seaport
Website: www.indiatoday.in/conclave-south/2026
Registration: www.indiatodayconclave.in