India today marked an intellectual and policy milestone with the formal launch of the Responsible Nations Index (RNI) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, under the aegis of the World Intellectual
Foundation (WIF). The Index offers a global framework to assess nations not merely by economic strength or geopolitical influence, but by their responsibility towards citizens, the environment, and the international community.The launch ceremony was graced by Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji, Hon’ble Former President of India, as the Chief Guest, who delivered the keynote address. In his remarks, he underlined the importance of ethical governance, inclusive development, and moral responsibility in shaping sustainable national and global futures.The event brought together eminent policymakers, jurists, economists, academicians, diplomats, and institutional leaders, reflecting the multidimensional nature of the RNI endeavour.
A Three-Year Intellectual and Policy Exercise Anchored in India
The Responsible Nations Index is the culmination of a three-year-long academic and policy exercise, conceptualised and developed by the World Intellectual Foundation. Anchored in India’s civilisational ethos of dharma and global well-being, the Index seeks to reframe global discourse around nationhood and progress.Institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai played a key academic role in shaping the intellectual foundations and methodological rigour of the Index.
High-Level Academic and Global Perspectives
The formal launch followed an Expert Panel Discussion on the theme “From Human Well-being to Global Stewardship: Rethinking Responsibility, Prosperity and Peace in the 21st Century”, chaired by Shri N. K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission of India.The panel featured distinguished economists and scholars, including:Ms. Prachi Mishra, Professor of Economics and Director, Isaac Centre for Public Policy, Ashoka UniversityDr. Laveesh Bhandari, President and Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP)Mr. Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist, Axis Bank & Head of Global Research, Axis CapitalDuring the inaugural session, addresses were delivered by:Prof. Santishree D. Pandit, Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityProf. Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Director, IIM MumbaiProf. Edouard Husson, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Paris, who also presented key intellectual insights from the closed-door Expert Roundtable held earlier in the day. Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, who spoke on the mission of the World Intellectual Foundation and the broader significance of the RNI.
A New Lens for Global Responsibility
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, Founder and Secretary, World Intellectual Foundation, said that the RNI represents a shift from power-centric assessments to responsibility-centric evaluation of nations.“The Responsible Nations Index asks a fundamental question—how responsibly does a nation exercise its power? Prosperity without responsibility is unsustainable. RNI seeks to encourage ethical governance, humane development, and global stewardship,” he said.The ceremony concluded with the ceremonial release of the Responsible Nations Index Report, marking the beginning of what WIF described as a long-term global conversation on responsible nationhood.
About the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF):The World Intellectual Foundation is a global think tank committed to advancing ideas that promote ethical leadership, responsible governance, and sustainable global futures through rigorous research and dialogue.
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