India is a multi-religious, multi-lingual, multi-racial, multi-cultural country. Its secular status is, however, a heated topic for debate today.
India has a long and mostly honorable tradition of using soft power in its diplomacy. Religion plays a very central and definitive role in Indian society and culture. It can often be seen to influence businesses and the economy.
Guest of honor: Sadhguru

Join us for an engaging debate on secularism and doing business in India on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 8:00-11:30am.

Itinerary*:
| Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00-08:30 | Mingling and breakfast | |
| 08:30-08:35 | Welcome | Hans Geelmuyden, Chair DMI |
| 08:35-08:50 | Guest of honor | Sadhguru |
| 08:50-09:10 | India today | Norway’s ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenlund |
| 09:10-09:20 | India’s religious soft power strategies | Ambassador Bala Bahskar |
| 09:20-09:30 | Clash of Civilizations’ when doing business | Rina Sunder, founder, and author, DMI |
| 09:30-09:40 | Meeting religion in Indian business | Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen, EVP & CEO Orkla Foods |
| 09:45-10:00 | Pause | |
| 10:00-10:45 | Panel Discussion held by Erik Solheim. | Panelists: Ambassador Bala Bhaskar, Op-ed columnist at VG, Shazia Majid |
| 10:45-11:30 | Mingling | |
| 11:30 | END |
*There might be changes in the program.
This is a by invitation only event. If you are interested, please sign up.
A few glimpses from the event:






