Raisina Dialogue is 'platform for deliberation on geo-political issues of the day': MEA

New Delhi (India), Jan. 17 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said Raisina Dialogue is a platform for deliberation on geo-political issues of the day, adding 69 countries are participating this year. "As India expands its diplomatic footprint, our engagement with global leaders, thinkers and strategic experts to drive inputs in our foreign policies formulation becomes a critical element. The Raisina Dialogue is part of this effort to create platforms in India for deliberations on geo-political issues of the day," said MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Swarup said that the MEA has over the last two years endeavored to build many such platforms both with individual countries such as the India-China think-tank forum and on the broader canvas like the Raisina Dialogue and the Gateway of India Dialogue. "It is clear that there is an appetite for such a dialogue as reflected in the enthusiastic response we have received this year in terms of level and quality participation. The conference will see participation by 69 countries with over 450 overseas participants, a significant increase from last year's event," Swarup told ANI. "I think this makes the Raisina Dialogue a leading event of its kind in the international calendar although it is just its second edition. In view of significant events on the global stage in 2016 this year's dialogue will be on theme 'The New Normal-Multilateralism with Multi-Polarity'," he added. Swarup further said the major highlight of the event is the address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a gathering attended by former heads of state and governments, foreign ministers and senior ministers from a number of countries. The dialogue is India's flagship Geo-political conference which is held annually. The dialogue is styled on the Shangri La Dialogue held annually in Singapore.(ANI)